Egypt’s President, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, welcomed a delegation from both the Democratic and Republican parties of the U.S. Senate today. The delegation included Senator Lindsey Graham and convened in the presence of Sameh Shoukry, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Major General Abbas Kamel, the Head of General Intelligence.
Ahmed Fahmy, the official spokesperson for the Egyptian Presidency, stated that President el-Sisi emphasized the significance of Egypt’s continuous communication with U.S. congressional leaders. This dialogue serves as a cornerstone of the enduring strategic partnership between Egypt and the United States, a partnership that spans decades.
The American delegation, in turn, underscored the high priority the United States places on its strategic relations with Egypt. They commended the exceptional level of mutual cooperation between the two nations. Furthermore, they recognized Egypt’s pivotal role in maintaining security and stability in the Middle East and the Arab world.
The meeting delved into in-depth discussions on numerous international and regional issues. The U.S. delegation was keen on hearing President el-Sisi’s viewpoints and assessments regarding these matters, particularly concerning the situation in Israel and Gaza.
The American side presented its perspective on the ongoing situation. The President shared insights from his recent visit to Israel. Both parties concurred on the urgency of the current situation and the need to prevent the escalation of the ongoing conflict.
They stressed the vital importance of safeguarding the rights of civilians and preventing their targeting. Humanitarian and relief aid for Gaza was also a focal point, along with the imperative of reviving the peace process in the region. The U.S. delegation praised Egypt for its role in preserving peace, hosting the Cairo Peace Summit on the 21st of this month, and its leadership in ensuring the delivery of essential humanitarian aid to Gaza.
The official spokesperson added that President el-Sisi reiterated Egypt’s unwavering stance against the targeting of all peaceful civilians. He also denounced policies of collective punishment and the forced displacement of Palestinians from their land.
President el-Sisi emphasized the need for concerted efforts to de-escalate the current situation and to intensify coordination among all relevant stakeholders in order to advance towards a just and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian issue. This solution must guarantee the rights of the Palestinian people and the establishment of their independent state, in accordance with relevant international legitimacy frameworks.