US President Donald Trump hailed on Tuesday the “great work” exerted by Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi in his country.
Speaking during a meeting with the Egyptian leader at the White House, Trump praised Egypt's efforts to confront terrorism, saying: "A lot of progress had been made in a lot of different ways in terms of terrorism."
“I think he’s doing a great job... I can just tell you he is doing a great job ... great president.”
“We’ve never had a better relationship, Egypt and the United States, than we do right now,” he added as the two men spoke to reporters before meeting in the White House Oval Office.
He said strong strategic ties have bound Cairo and Washington together for several years, stressing that it was honor for him to welcome Sisi at the White House.
“All the credit goes to you, Mister President,” Sisi responded through an interpreter. “Thank you very much for your support on all fronts.”
He said that his visit to the US is aimed at tackling political, economic, military and cultural issues.
A senior White House official said that the Trump administration had expressed concern over the treatment of religious minorities in Egypt in wake of attacks against Coptic Christians there.
It also expressed its concern over Russia’s growing influence in the region, most notably after Cairo signed a deal worth $2 billion with Moscow to purchase over 20 Sukhoi 35 fighter jets.
The official said that there was not much benefit to gain from contacting the Russians, as demonstrated in Syria and Venezuela. He therefore, said that Cairo was better off obtaining support and investment from the US.
Speaking to the press at the White House, the official did not clarify if the Trump administration supported the constitutional amendments in Egypt that would extend Sisi’s term in office.
The administration "encourages the Egyptian government to preserve space for civil society and to protect human rights.
Political circles predicted that the Sisi-Trump talks would focus on the situation in the Palestinian Gaza Strip and the growing tensions with Israel. They also were set to discuss Libya and Iranian meddling in the Arab Gulf region.
Sisi had held talks in Washington on Monday with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Trump’s advisor Jared Kushner.
Pompeo and Sisi reaffirmed the strength and importance of the US-Egypt bilateral relationship, said a State Department statement.
He thanked Sisi for his leadership in advancing Egypt’s and the region’s security and stability, including through counter-terrorism efforts and countering the Iranian regime’s malign influence. They also discussed cases concerning US citizens in Egypt.
