President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi received on Sunday Director of the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), John Ratcliffe. Director of the Egyptian General Intelligence Service, Major General Hassan Rashad, attended the meeting. Discussions during the meeting focused on means of boosting the strategic relations between Egypt and the US, Presidency Spokesman Ambassador Mohamed El-Shennawy said. Sisi stressed Egypt’s appreciation of the longstanding and distinguished ties binding Egypt and the US, and praised the level of co-ordination and consultation on regional and international issues of mutual concern. The president described the US as a key strategic partner in the political, security and economic fields, commending President Donald Trump’s efforts to promote security, peace and stability worldwide. President Sisi reviewed Middle East developments, and highlighted full backing for efforts to reach a comprehensive agreement to end the Iranian crisis, to restore security and stability in the Middle East region, and ensure freedom of international navigation, the spokesman said. The president reiterated Egypt’s firm position in support of the security and sovereignty of Arab states and Cairo’s rejection of any attacks against them. He also stressed the importance of resolving regional crises through political and diplomatic channels and addressing their root causes comprehensively, in a way that preserves national state institutions and territorial integrity, El-Shennawy added. For his part, CIA’s Ratcliffe conveyed President Trump’s greetings to President Sisi and expressed his appreciation for the meeting. He asserted the US administration’s keenness to continue close co-operation and co-ordination with Egypt to promote security and stability in the Middle East. Ratcliffe also commended Egypt’s pivotal role in supporting efforts to reach peaceful and comprehensive settlements to the region’s crises. He highlighted the level of co-operation between the CIA and Egypt’s General Intelligence Service in security and intelligence, counterterrorism, organised crime and combating transnational crime. Meanwhile, the meeting addressed developments of the Palestinian cause, as President Sisi stressed the importance of fully implementing the second phase of the US president’s plan to consolidate the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. He praised the mediators’ efforts to reach a roadmap for implementing the phase. Sisi reiterated Egypt’s established position, including the need to consolidate the ceasefire, protect civilians, ensure sufficient and sustainable humanitarian access to Gaza, and create conditions conducive to the resumption of the political process, with the aim of reaching a just and comprehensive settlement of the Palestinian issue in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions and the two-state solution. Ratcliffe lauded Egypt’s key role in concluding the Gaza ceasefire, and Cairo’s continued efforts to support the peace process and promote regional stability. On Sudan’s crisis, President Sisi reaffirmed Cairo’s firm support for the country’s unity and stability, as well as preservation of its legitimate national institutions. Sudan’s sovereignty and territorial unity and integrity are fundamental principles that cannot be compromised, Sisi said. He also highlighted Egypt’s active and constructive engagement in various international and regional frameworks addressing the Sudanese crisis, with the aim of ending the war, alleviating humanitarian suffering and supporting the political settlement process. Referring to the developments in the Horn of Africa, Sisi reiterated full support for efforts aiming to achieve security and stability in Somalia, as well as categorical rejection of any infringement on the country’s sovereignty, unity or territorial integrity. Ratcliffe expressed Washington’s appreciation for Cairo’s active role in supporting security and stability across Africa, and stressed the importance of continued co-ordination and consultation between the relevant authorities of the two countries, particularly regarding the Sudanese crisis, developments in Somalia and the Horn of Africa, as well as the security of international navigation. Such co-operation fosters efforts to address security and geopolitical challenges, terrorist organisations and organised crime, while enhancing the exchange of views, assessments and information on regional and international developments affecting the security and stability of the region, he said. The post Sisi, US CIA chief discuss strategic ties, regional security appeared first on Egyptian Gazette.
