Sisi meets US intelligence chief

Abdel Fattah El Sisi met here Sunday with US Central Intelligence Agency director John Brennan in the presence of Egypt's intelligence chief Khaled Fawzi and US Ambassador to Egypt Stephen Beecroft.

During the meeting, Brennan hailed the strategic ties binding Egypt and the US and underlined the importance of boosting bilateral relations in the various spheres, said Presidential Spokesman Alaa Youssef.

Egypt is considered a main pillar to attain security and peace in the Middle East, the presidential spokesman quoted Brennan as saying during the meeting.

Brennan also congratulated Sisi on the completion of the third step of the roadmap and electing the new House of Representatives.

He further affirmed that Egypt is considered an important partner for his country, adding that the US seeks to get acquainted with Egypt's viewpoint toward cooperation on several regional issues of mutual interest, topped by combating terrorism and confronting terrorist groups in the Middle East.

Sisi, for his part, said that Egypt appreciates its strategic ties with the US and is keen on further promoting bilateral relations.

Egypt will resume its parliamentary activity at the regional and international levels, Sisi said.

Sisi also said that Egypt's viewpoint realizes the importance of promoting efforts of combating terrorism in the region and confronting terrorist and extremist groups.

Egypt's efforts to uproot terrorism in a number of areas in North Sinai do not surpass 1% of the total area in Sinai, Sisi said, pointing out also to the ongoing efforts to secure Egypt's western borders with Libya.

Sisi went on to affirm that Egypt supports efforts aiming to settle crises in several regional countries and reach political solutions in a way which preserve the unity of these countries.

The two sides also underlined the importance of following up the outcome of the strategic dialogue, which was held between Egypt and the US during August 2015, said the spokesman.

An agreement was also reached to continue consultation and coordination on several issues of mutual interest, added the spokesman.

Source: MENA