Sisi warns against fall of nations, spread of suicide

President Abdel Fattah El Sisi warned against the fall of nations in the region and its repercussions reflected by the spread of terrorist organizations in the region.

During a meeting with visiting Speaker of the US House of Representatives Paul Ryan, Sisi welcomed the US delegation and expressed his appreciation of strategic ties between the two countries running now for decades, presidential spokesman Alaa Youssef said.

Egypt values the assistance offered by the US, which contributed to the achievement of common interests, he said, adding that Egypt is committed to its strategic partnership with the US and is keen to further promote it in all domains.

Egypt welcomes continuous interaction and dialogue with the US and the exchange of viewpoints on several regional and international issues of mutual concern, while taking into account the critical situation in the Middle East at the political, economic and security levels, the threat of terrorism and bids to spread extremism, the Egyptian leader said according to the spokesman.

For his part, Ryan said the US also values its strategic relationship with Egypt and is keen to develop and bolster it and stand by the side of Egypt against different challenges, the spokesman said.

Ryan said his visit of Egypt is part of the first foreign tour he makes since coming to office, reflecting the close attention given by the US House of Representatives to the ME region.

The US and Egypt agreed to push forward their ties in the present period to counter unprecedented challenges in the region that are also affecting the common interests of the two countries, the US speaker said.

He hailed Egypt's efforts in fighting terrorism and extremism, saying the country is a main security and stability pillar in the region.

Sisi reviewed the developments in Egypt in the past few years, pointing out to its success in completing the political road map with the election of a new parliament in credible and transparent polls as vouched for by local, regional and international sides.

The Egyptian House of Representatives comprises unprecedented percentages of women and youths in addition to representing people with special needs and Egyptians living abroad, Sisi said.

The democratic process is an extended and continued process that cannot happen overnight, he said, adding that the Egyptian state is keen to achieve balance between security and stability on the one hand and rights and freedoms on the other.

He stressed the importance of setting a stage conducive for investment and tourism, preserving the security and safety of Egyptian nationals and those living in the country and fulfilling their economic and social rights along political and civil freedoms as part and parcel of human rights.

In this context, the US delegation praised Egyptian steps regarding the political transition process.

The spokesman added that Sisi affirmed the need to prioritize the fight against terrorism at the international level as the growth of this phenomenon has grave consequences on the entire international community not just at the security and political levels but their impact in inhibiting economic and social efforts and threatening the concept of national state.

He said concerted international community efforts are needed to reach a comprehensive approach for fighting terrorism, while putting into account the intellectual and religious aspects in curtailing and combating the spread of extremist ideology and showing the true image of Islam; its modesty and tolerant values calling for forgiveness, cooperation and accepting one another.

The delegation members reviewed their efforts in convincing the American people that the ideology of terrorist and extremist organizations does not represent the true Islam.

The meeting took up the crises of a number of regional countries. The president said political solutions are needed to those crises to conserve the national institutions of those countries and prevent their fall.

Source : MENA