US commitment to Egypt’s security intact: El-Sisi
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Raven Ruma
- . December 16, 2022
- . Update: December 16, 2022 10:21 pm
Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, the president of Egypt, has gained the US’s assurance that Cairo will be able to defend its citizens and territory.
On the sidelines of the US-Africa meeting, El-Sisi met with senior US officials in Washington. US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin stated that Egypt “is a leader on the world stage in addition to the Middle East and Africa” during his meeting with the president at the Pentagon.
Austin continued: According to a statement from the US Department of Defense, “We will continue to engage with Egypt and your neighbors to increase interoperability, integrated air and missile defense, and marine security.”
In view of the unique conditions the region and the globe are experiencing, El-Sisi reaffirmed Egypt’s eagerness to support its strategic partnership with the US, particularly in the military and security domains.
The bilateral ties were referred to as “the core of the strategic alliance between the two countries” in an official statement. Their shared responsibilities and attempts to reestablish security and stability in the Middle East are supported by these relations.
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Austin expressed his gratitude to El-Sisi for allowing Egypt to take control of Combined Task Force 153, which ensures the safety of shipping lanes in the Red Sea.
On December 12, the US Navy handed over control of CTF 153 to the Egyptian Navy during a ceremony in Bahrain, where the multinational staff is based.
According to Austin, the US is still committed to enabling Egypt to defend its citizens and land. El-Sisi and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met again to discuss topics of mutual interest, including the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.
Regarding important African issues in light of the US-Africa summit, they discussed them. According to El-Sisi, the African continent needs a complete continental infrastructure to facilitate the implementation of projects and efforts involving African nations.
The success of the continent’s development efforts, he continued, “depends on the achievement of a large-scale international project that mobilises the resources and assistance of important countries.” He noted that global development experience could produce a holistic vision for the infrastructure.
According to Egypt’s presidential spokesman Bassam Rady, Blinken welcomed El-Sisi’s visit to Washington, which was made in an effort to enhance relations between the two friendly nations.
