Sisi Riyadh Summit speech infuriates states supporting terrorism

CAIRO – 5 June 2017: In the light of the growing tension between several Arab states and Qatar, Egypt Today republish president Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi speech at the Arab Islamic American Summit.

Terrorism must be confronted “collectively”, and financial, ideological and media supporters of terrorists must be identified and prevented, President Sisi said in a 4-point strategy during his speech at the summit that took place in Riyadh mid-May.

President Sisi’s speech included a strategic and integral plan to fully eradicate terrorism and countries that support it.

The four questions included in the Egyptian leader’s speech infuriated countries that provide support to terrorist organizations that are increasingly becoming a threat to the whole world.

During his speech, Sisi said that eradicating terrorism requires putting an end to the causes of dispute, conflict and extremism threatening the entire globe.

The president told the Riyadh summit, attended by leaders from various Islamic and Arab countries and U.S. President Donald Trump, that security and military measures should not be the only means of fighting terrorism. He urged the participating countries to find a common ground in policy, ideology and development.

“Otherwise, how could this comprehensive agreement be applicable on the ground?” said Sisi.

The following lines shed light on the main four bases presented by the Egyptian leader to eradicate terrorism.

Firstly, all terrorist groups need to be confronted collectively and without prejudice, as terrorist organizations work as “cancerous cells connected by various links throughout the world,” he said.

He pointed out that Egypt has been involved in a ferocious war against terrorism, achieving great results in this regard, noting that Egypt’s conflict against terror threats is a part of a large war waged by the whole world.

Secondly, the president called for drying up sources of financial and ideological support for terrorists.

“There are countries involved in financing terrorist organizations and providing them with safe haven,” the president said, emphasizing that there are entities that buy petroleum, antiquities and drugs from terrorist groups and provide them with media support.

Third, a complete confrontation of terrorism means preventing militant groups from recruiting new elements, al-Sisi said, describing the war on terrorism as an “ideological conflict.”

He further added that Egypt and Al-Azhar have been undertaking efforts to renew the religious discourse in the country with the aim of spreading a moderate approach to Islam.

Fourth, the president also stressed the importance of ensuring the stability of state institutions, explaining that terrorism takes advantage of division within the one country, taking advantage of filling the gaps.

“Over the past few years, Egypt has provided a historic model in recovering its state institutions, benefiting from the overwhelming popular will, which faced attempts to change its deep-rooted Egyptian identity,” said al-Sisi.

Riyadh hosted a series of three summits held on 20-21 May on the occasion of Trump’s visit to Saudi Arabia. The summits focused on unity in the fight against terrorism.