Latest news with #Abdel Fattah El Sisi
The National
4 days ago
- Business
- The National
El Sisi meets Centcom chief in Cairo and reaffirms strong US-Egypt ties
US Central Command (Centcom) chief Gen Michael Kurilla met Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi in Cairo on Sunday, with both reaffirming the strategic partnership between their countries despite recent strained relations. A statement from the Egyptian presidency underscored the 'strategic depth' of US-Egyptian relations and highlighted that President Donald Trump's attitude towards Cairo was well-intentioned. Discussions focused on strengthening bilateral military and security co-operation, and addressing regional challenges, including efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and to allow sustained humanitarian aid to the enclave, the presidency said. The meeting, attended by Egypt's Defence Minister Abdel Meguid Saqr and US ambassador Herro Mustafa, also touched on broader regional issues, with Mr El Sisi discussing Egypt's water security and developments in the Horn of Africa. The high-level visit comes after months of uncertainty over US-Egypt relations, exacerbated by disagreements over Israel's war on Gaza. Mr Trump's controversial demand for Egypt to resettle Palestinians from Gaza in its Sinai Peninsula was met with a firm rejection from Cairo, which called the proposal a threat to national security and the Palestinian cause. The US President then ruffled feathers again in April with a demand that American vessels should transit the Suez Canal free of charge. Pro-government Egyptian media dismissed the idea as 'preposterous' and it fuelled speculation over Cairo's growing frustration with Washington's policies. At the same time, Egypt has deepened its ties with other global powers, particularly China, with which it conducted a joint military exhibition at the Giza pyramids in April and May. Cairo also purchased a number of Chinese military hardware. Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang visited Cairo this month to expand economic and military co-operation, including infrastructure investment and joint military drills. He met government officials, including Mr El Sisi, and business leaders. Egypt's involvement in the Brics bloc and growing reliance on Chinese and Russian arms have signalled a broader shift in its foreign policy. Despite the apparent political discord, US-Egypt economic ties remain significant. In May, the US-Egypt Policy Leaders' Forum highlighted Cairo's efforts to attract American investment, including a proposed US industrial zone in the Suez Canal Economic Zone. US companies have invested more than $47 billion in Egypt in the past 20 years and the two sides continue to prioritise trade and investment, even as political tension persists. Gen Kurilla's visit may also indicate Washington's intent to preserve its $1.3 billion annual military aid package to Egypt, a cornerstone of their relationship since the 1970s. Following the perceived row, questions were raised over the continuation of the military aid package, especially in light of larger funding cuts introduced by Mr Trump's administration since he came to power again in January. His predecessor Joe Biden had halted 10 per cent of the annual aid package to Cairo over Egypt's failure to comply with human rights standards set by the aid agreement. The aid was restored the following year.
The National
10-07-2025
- Business
- The National
Chinese Premier and Egypt's El Sisi call for stabilising Israel-Iran ceasefire
Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi emphasised the importance of stabilising the ceasefire between Israel and Iran during a meeting in Cairo on Thursday. The two leaders called for renewed diplomatic efforts to resolve regional tension and reaffirmed their commitment to promoting peace in the Middle East. The discussions also addressed the Israeli war in Gaza, with both sides underlining the need for an immediate cessation of hostilities and the urgent delivery of humanitarian aid. Mr El Sisi reiterated Egypt's position on achieving a just and comprehensive resolution to the Palestinian issue, which remains a cornerstone of regional stability, the Egyptian presidency said. The meeting, part of Mr Li's two-day visit to Egypt, focused on strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two nations. The Chinese Premier delivered a message from President Xi Jinping, who described Mr El Sisi as a 'dear friend of China' and highlighted the long-standing ties between the countries. Mr El Sisi expressed Egypt's interest in deepening economic co-operation with China, particularly in renewable energy, electric vehicle production and infrastructure development. He praised the role of Chinese companies in Egyptian development projects, including their contributions to the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZone) and the New Administrative Capital. 'Egypt is keen to activate and deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership with China, especially as the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations approaches in 2026,' Mr El Sisi said. Mr Li reaffirmed China's commitment to expanding investment in Egypt, with a focus on enhancing the SCZone as a vital hub for trade and manufacturing. The zone already hosts more than 185 enterprises, with total investment of $3 billion. Discussions also touched on future Chinese projects in manufacturing and logistics aimed at further developing the zone. Egypt raised the topic of advancing debt swap agreements with China, a mechanism aimed at alleviating economic pressures while supporting development, the Egyptian presidency said. Also discussed was expanding tourism and cultural ties, with Mr El Sisi expressing optimism about increasing the number of Chinese tourists visiting Egypt. Last year, 300,000 Chinese visited and the launch of Air China's direct flights between Beijing and Cairo during Mr Li's visit is expected to boost that figure. Egypt has introduced Chinese-language services at major tourist sites to accommodate the growing influx. The meeting highlighted the growing alignment between Cairo and Beijing on regional and global issues. In addition to the Israel-Iran ceasefire, the two leaders discussed broader Middle East stability, including the need for sustained efforts to address food security and economic challenges in the region. Mr Li's visit reflects Egypt's efforts to diversify its international partnerships, particularly with China, as part of a broader strategy to reduce reliance on traditional western allies.
