Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi met with a bipartisan delegation from the US Congress on Wednesday, led by Sen. Joni Ernst, in the presence of Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry.
The official spokesperson for the Egyptian presidency, Counselor Ahmed Fahmy, said the meeting confirmed the importance and centrality of the strategic partnership and close relations between Egypt and the United States.
The US delegation affirmed the US commitment to developing areas of cooperation between the two countries, in recognition of Egypt’s regional standing and its tireless efforts to promote security, stability, and development in the region.
Fahmy added that the meeting included an open dialogue between the president and the US delegation on developments in the regional landscape, particularly in the Gaza Strip. Sisi reviewed the general context of the current situation, stressing the need to work seriously on a just and comprehensive settlement of the Palestinian issue through the establishment of an independent Palestinian state in accordance with the approved references.
He also affirmed that the current priority is to reach a ceasefire and protect civilians, and to ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid in sufficient quantities to address the humanitarian tragedy facing the people of the Strip, in line with and in implementation of the relevant UN resolutions. Sisi also stressed Egypt’s complete rejection of attempts to resolve the Palestinian issue through the displacement of Palestinians from their lands.