During a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the Sharm El Sheikh Peace Summit, US President Donald Trump praised the pivotal role of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi in Middle East peace efforts, affirming the United States’ full support for Egypt during this sensitive stage.
Trump explained that Egypt is playing an essential role in managing the peace process between Israel and Hamas, noting that the second phase of the Gaza agreement has already begun.
Here are 8 key points summarizing the highlights of Trump’s bilateral meeting in Sharm El Sheikh:
- Sisi’s role in peace: “President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi is my friend, and I commend President Al-Sisi’s efforts—he has done a wonderful job. I affirm that we in the United States support President El-Sisi’s efforts in the peace process in the region.”
- Egypt’s efforts in the peace process: “Egypt has played and continues to play a very important role in the peace process, and indeed, President Al-Sisi’s performance in this regard is great. He has worked with dedication and perseverance for peace. We respect Egypt’s leadership, and President Al-Sisi has played a very important and leading role, which we appreciate.”
- Iran: “No [on whether Iran will attend/cooperate immediately], but I think Iran will come to this conclusion at some point. They need some help, and there are enormous sanctions imposed on Iran. They cannot continue with these very harsh sanctions, but at some point, they will say, ‘We want these sanctions removed.’ I believe things will be good for Iran eventually, and I think they want to strike a deal.”
- Israeli hostages: “They [Hamas] are now searching for the remains of the remaining Israeli hostages in Gaza. Perhaps there are five or six bodies that will be handed over, but they are searching in various areas in an attempt to find and hand over the rest of the remains.”
- Second phase of negotiations: “The second phase of the negotiations has already begun, and all these phases are integrated with one another. If you look at Gaza, there is a lot of work that needs to be done; what exists in Gaza now is rubble.”
- The international summit and participants: “In the next room are the leaders of the wealthiest nations in the world—the big leaders, princes, and kings—they are all here, about 35 countries. These are the countries we invited, and you will see a lot of progress in the Middle East.”
- Relationship with El-Sisi: “We are proud of President Al-Sisi because from the first time I met him (during my first term as President), Hillary Clinton was following me, and he liked me very much. We had good relations, and this relationship remains strong until now.”
- Peace in the Middle East: “This is about peace in the Middle East and for everyone. I believe this matter was once impossible, and here it is happening and being realized before your eyes.”
