Trump, al-Sisi agree to cooperate on security
WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump welcomed the leader of Egypt to the White House for the first time in eight years, pledging close co-operation with Abdel Fatah al-Sisi on counter-terrorism operations and praising his leadership of the Middle Eastern nation.
“I just want to let everybody know, in case there was any doubt, that we are very much behind President al-Sisi,” Trump said, sitting next to his counterpart in the Oval Office.
“He’s done a fantastic job in a very difficult situation. We are very much behind Egypt and the people of Egypt... We have strong backing.”
Al-Sisi’s arrival at the White House on Monday marked a reversal of US policy after President Barack Obama refused to invite him, because of concerns about human rights violations.
Trump and al-Sisi appeared focused on security, and they sought to demonstrate warmth, shaking hands during their brief remarks to reporters.
“The president made it clear this is a new day in the relationship between Egypt and the United States,” White House press secretary Sean Spicer said.
During a later meeting between the presidents and their senior aides, Trump said the day’s work went well. “We’ve made great progress today with Egypt, really great progress,” he said.
The White House summit marked the first of several high-profile encounters for al-Sisi in Washington during a six-day visit that includes meetings with congressional and business leaders and with International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde.
Al-Sisi is also expected to meet King Abdullah of Jordan, who will visit Trump at the White House today.
In his remarks in the Oval Office, Trump recalled their first meeting in September during the presidential campaign, a get-to-know-you conversation that he said ran well over the planned time as they struck up a personal connection.
“We agree on so many things,” Trump said.
Through an interpreter, al-Sisi told Trump that he has a “deep appreciation and admiration of your unique personality, especially your standing very strongly in the counter-terrorism field”.
The last time an Egyptian leader visited the White House was in August 2009 when Hosni Mubarak met Obama in the Oval Office. Washington Post