Sisi, Deby discuss ties, regional issues

Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El Sisi received on Wednesday President of Chad’s Transitional Military Council Mohamed Idriss Deby at Al-Ittihadiya Palace, Presidency Spokesman Ambassador Bassam Radi said on Wednesday.

President Sisi welcomed the Chadian guest and stressed Egypt’s keenness to offer full support to Chad during the current transitional period in the country, and strengthen bilateral ties at all levels, as part of the extensive and distinguished historical relations binding the two countries, that were further consolidated under late president Idriss Deby.

Sisi also underlined the strategic neighbourhood of Egypt and Chad, noting that the two countries share identical views on several regional and international issues.

For his part, Deby lauded the close bilateral ties, saying that his country is eager to further activate and promote co-operation with Egypt, Spokesman Radi said.

He expressed appreciation for Egypt’s support to Chad over the present sensitive period the country is going through, especially in capacity building to help it achieve its expectations in development.

Deby referred to broad prospects for developing ties and bilateral co-operation at all levels, Radi said.

Sisi and Deby discussed means of promoting co-operation through reactivating the joint bilateral committee.

President Sisi reiterated Egypt’s keenness on boosting co-operation with Chad in capacity building for development purposes, as well as honing Chadian human resources in all specialisations, and maximising security, intelligence and military co-operation in order to combat terrorism and extremist thinking, Ambassador Radi said.

The two leaders also discussed a host of regional issues of common concern, particularly the developments in Libya, and their repercussions on the region’s security and stability.

Sisi and Deby agreed on the necessity that the political process in Libya must include a mechanism for the withdrawal of all the foreign armed elements, mercenaries, terrorists and extremist groups from the country, with guarantees that weapons and military gear would not be leaked to the region, Ambassador Radi said.