President of Egypt Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and CIA Director John Ratcliffe on Sunday exchanged views in Cairo regarding the ongoing crises in several parts of Africa and the Middle East.
El-Sisi reaffirmed Egypt’s support for a broad agreement that resolves the Iranian crisis, including the restoration of regional security and the freedom of international navigation.
The President, however, reiterated his country’s backing for the security and sovereignty of Arab countries and its emphatic rejection of aggression against them.
He highlighted Egypt’s contributions to international and regional frameworks on the Sudanese crisis, aimed at ending the war, alleviating suffering, and pursuing a political settlement.
Speaking on the Horn of Africa, El-Sisi insists security and stability in Somalia must be reinforced, rejecting any infringement on its sovereignty or territorial integrity.
The President urged protection for Palestinians, humanitarian access, and resumption of political settlement in line with the resolutions of international legitimacy and the two-state solution.
Ratcliffe praised Egypt’s role in promoting peace in Africa and achieving a ceasefire in Gaza, indicating Washington will enhance cooperation with Cairo to bolster stability in the Middle East.
The Director commended the collaboration between the CIA and the Egyptian General Intelligence Service in security, intelligence, counterterrorism, organized crime, and transnational crimes.
GIS Director Hassan Rashad attended the parley, which signals a new level of partnership in intelligence gathering, sharing, and assessment on various regional and international developments.
Egypt maintains a long-standing strategic and military alliance with Western allies, particularly the United States, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom.
Ratcliffe’s visit to the transcontinental country came barely a month after he met counterparts in Russia, whose diplomatic relations with Egypt date back to 1943.
Egypt’s El-Sisi, CIA Director discuss Africa, Middle East crises