CENTCOM chief: Egypt’s role key to supporting peace, stability in region

President Abdel Fattah El Sisi stressed the special, established and strategic relations between Egypt and the United States and highlighted that Egypt is looking forward to the continued development of the existing bilateral co-operation in all fields, especially at the military level.

The president’s remarks came as he received yesterday the Commander of the US Central Command, General Kenneth Mckenzie. Egypt’s Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces Lieutenant-General Mohamed Farid and US Ambassador to Cairo Jonathan Cohen attended the meeting, Presidency Spokesman Ambassador Bassam Radi said.
During the meeting, the president said that boosting ongoing co-operation should come in a way that enhances the fruitful co-operation between Egypt and the United States in facing common challenges in the region.
For his part, the Commander of the US Central Command affirmed keenness to maintain the pace of coordination and joint consultation with Egypt regarding regional issues within the framework of strong military relations between the two countries, which are essential to face the current challenges that threaten the security and stability of the region, Spokesman Radi said.
Gen. Mckenzie also highlighted Egypt’s pivotal and principal role in supporting peace and stability in its regional environs, especially the effective Egyptian efforts in the field of combating terrorism and extremist ideology.
Ways to strengthen the relations between the two countries in military, security and counterterrorism fields, joint training programmes, and the exchange of expertise were considered during the meeting, the spokesman said.
Also reviewed during the meeting were the views and visions regarding the latest developments in a number of regional issues, especially those of the Middle East, the Horn of Africa and the East Mediterranean, Spokesman Radi said, adding that it was agreed in this context to continue regular bilateral consultations and coordination between the two friendly countries on issues of mutual interest.