Meeting with a US delegation on Thursday, Egyptian Defense Minister Sedki Sobhi stressed the strength of the US-Egyptian strategic partnership in supporting common peace initiatives and working to push back against current challenges seeking to undermine regional security and stability.
The delegation was led by Republican US Senator Darrell Issa, chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
Sobhi also praised immense efforts invested by security forces to maintain control over hotspots near the country’s borders, saying that Egypt struck Takfiri strongholds and deterred terror formations backing radicals. Takfiris and radical extremists are considered to be a vital factor in the makeup of terror groups.
According to a ministry statement, meeting participants discussed means of bolstering bilateral cooperation and enhancing regional security.
Sobhi, for his part, said Egypt was keen to maintain its “deep and strategic” partnership with Washington “with a view to enhancing our common efforts to foster peace and regional development”.
For its part the US American delegation praised the importance of the relations of cooperation between Egypt and the US across all fields, stressing the importance of coordination and consultation between the two countries at all levels.
A large-scale military operation began on February 9 in the Sinai, with the participation of a variety of army and police forces against terrorist elements. At the end of November 2017, the Egyptian president commanded the army and police to “use all force needed to uproot terrorism.”
On the other hand, Sobhi held an Iftar ceremony for military personnel on Thursday commemorating the 45th anniversary of 10th of Ramadan victory (also known as the 1973 Arab–Israeli War).
Sobhi gave a speech at the ceremony, praising the military generals, officers, soldiers for their sacrifices. He also sent them President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi’s greetings on the Ramadan war victory.
He also thanked the Egyptian air forces for their role in protecting the country borders from terrorism threats.
Sobhi met with members from the Rapid Deployment Forces and the Central Military Region, discussing the efforts exerted to secure internal affairs and their role in the 2018 Sinai military operation launched against terrorist groups in the country since February 9.
Officials from the Armed Forces Engineering Authority participated in the Iftar. Sobhi praised the authority’s construction works that contribute to the development of the country.
“Armed Forces will spare no effort to participate in the development projects to secure decent livings for citizens,” he said.
