President Abdel Fattah El Sisi received on Sunday General Michael Kurilla, Commander of the United States Central Command (CENTCOM).
Attending the meeting were General Abdel Majeed Saqr, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and Minister of Defence and Military Production, and US Ambassador to Egypt, Herro Mustafa.
At the outset of the meeting, General Kurilla conveyed the greetings of US President Donald Trump to President Sisi, which the president welcomed, emphasising the depth of the strategic relations binding Egypt and the United States, Presidency Spokesman Ambassador Mohamed el-Shennawy said.
Discussions during the meeting focused on ways to enhance co-operation and joint coordination across all fields between Cairo and Washington, particularly in military and security domains.
The two sides underscored the importance of reinforcing this co-operation in light of their mutual interest in supporting regional and global security and stability, the presidency spokesman said.
While reviewing the latest developments in the Middle East, President Sisi reaffirmed Egypt’s ongoing intensive efforts to achieve a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, facilitate the exchange of hostages and detainees, and ensure the urgent delivery of humanitarian aid to the Strip.
The Egyptian leader also commended President Trump’s efforts towards achieving a ceasefire, stressing the importance of reviving the peace track and working towards the realisation of durable peace and stability in the region, Spokesman Shennawy said.
The meeting reflected mutual accord on the necessity of de-escalation in the region and the pursuit of sustainable political solutions to current crises, thereby contributing to the promotion of regional peace and stability, the presidency spokesperson added. In this context, developments in Syria, Libya, Sudan, and the Horn of Africa were considered. The meeting also addressed the water file, with President Sisi stressing the utmost importance of the River Nile water issue as a matter of national security for Egypt, the residency spokesman said.
