Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Wednesday met with US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the Davos Forum.
The meeting was attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration, and Egyptian Expatriates, Badr Abdelatty, and the Head of the General Intelligence Service, Hassan Rashad.
Representing the American side were Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the US Special Envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff.
The Official Spokesperson for the Presidency, Mohamed al-Shennawy, stated that the discussions focused on bilateral relations.
President Sisi emphasized Egypt’s commitment to elevating these ties to the level of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, expressing his aspirations to bolster economic and trade cooperation by convening the second session of the Egypt-US Economic Forum in 2026.
President Trump on his end expressed deep appreciation for the enduring partnership between the two nations across political, military, and economic sectors.
He commended President al-Sisi’s role in driving development and political stability within Egypt, as well as his contributions to regional peace.
Regional peace initiatives and the Gaza crisis
According to Shennawy, the meeting addressed regional issues of mutual concern.
President Sisi welcomed President Trump’s initiative to establish a “Peace Council,” expressing support for the Council’s mandate to settle various conflicts and pursue regional harmony.
President Sisi praised President Trump’s pivotal role in halting the war in the Gaza Strip and initiating the second phase of the agreement.
He highlighted the announcement regarding the formation of the Palestinian National Committee for Gaza management, affirming Egypt’s readiness to exert every effort to ensure the agreement’s full implementation.
He further stressed the urgency of immediate early recovery efforts and reconstruction, alongside the necessity of increasing humanitarian aid to alleviate the dire conditions faced by the Palestinian people.
Sudan and the Nile Basin diplomacy
The talks also touched upon joint efforts to end the conflict in Sudan within the framework of the “Quartet.” Sisi welcomed American efforts in this regard, emphasizing the importance of an immediate humanitarian truce and intensified international action to end the suffering of the Sudanese people.
Regarding the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), the Spokesperson added that Sisi valued President Trump’s interest in the Nile water issue, describing it as an existential and central matter for Egypt.
He emphasized that the US President’s sponsorship of efforts to resolve this long-standing crisis could pave the way for a much-anticipated breakthrough.
Furthermore, Sisi reaffirmed Egypt’s dedication to establishing cooperation mechanisms with Nile Basin countries to achieve mutual interests in accordance with international law.
He noted that the volume of water and rainfall in the region is sufficient to meet the needs of every nation if managed effectively.
Developments in Lebanon
The meeting concluded with a discussion on the situation in Lebanon.
President Sisi underscored the importance of the US role in halting violations against Lebanese sovereignty, thereby empowering state institutions to fulfill their duties and extend their authority over all Lebanese territory.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
