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Trump welcomes Egypt’s President el-Sissi in US policy change

In what was the first visit by an Egyptian president to Washington in eight years, El-Sissi and Trump expressed mutual admiration and the common goal to defeat Islamic terror.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sissi and US President Donald Trump celebrated what they expect to be a close friendship based on a common goal to crush Islamic terror.

Trump’s warm welcome to the Egyptian leader represents a notable change in US policy. The relationship between the two countries was tense under the Obama administration, which often admonished al-Sissi’s government and briefly suspended military aid. Obama had never invited al-Sissi to the White House.

Trump has often mentioned Egypt as one of the Muslim-majority allies with which the US should partner in the fight against Radical Islam.

“President el-Sissi has been very close to me since the first time I met him. We agreed on so many things,” Trump said in his greeting to the Egyptian guest.

“I just want to let everybody know, in case there was any doubt, that we are very much behind President el-Sissi,” Trump continued. “He’s done a fantastic job in a very difficult situation. We are very much behind Egypt and the people of Egypt…

“We are rejuvenating our military to the highest level… certainly almost more than ever before.  That’s what we need.”

“I just want to say to you, Mr. President, that you have a great friend and ally in the United States and in me,” Trump stated.

Egypt Behind Trump in ‘Struggle of the Century’

El-Sissi, in response, noted it was his first visit to the US in his capacity as president and the first visit by an Egyptian leader in eight years.

He expressed “deep appreciation and admiration” for Trump, especially regarding his strong stand against Islamic terror, countering “this evil ideology that is claiming innocent lives, bringing devastation to communities and nations and terrorizing innocent people.”

“You’ll find Egypt and myself behind you in the struggle against terrorism,” al-Sissi said, calling it the “struggle of the century.”

Egypt is one of the countries hardest hit by Islamic terror in recent years. It has been waging a strong battle against ISIS, particularly in the Sinai.

The two leaders are expected to discuss increased US military aid to Egypt, among other issues.

By: World Israel News Staff