Cairo: Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi received a phone call from Donald Trump, wherein he extended an invitation to the US leader to visit Egypt to discuss the ongoing crises in the Middle East, as per a statement from Sisi's office on Saturday.
According to Anadolu Agency, during the call, President Sisi congratulated Trump on his second term as President of the US, highlighting the confidence he commands among the American populace. Sisi invited Trump to strengthen the strategic relations between the two nations and deliberate on the complex issues in the Middle East. The invitation also included attending the inauguration of the new Egyptian museum, although the official opening date for the Grand Egyptian Museum is yet to be confirmed. Local media suggests July 3 as the tentative date, with celebrations spanning several days.
Trump reciprocated with an open invitation for Sisi to visit Washington and meet him at the White House, as stated by the Egyptian presidential spokesperson. Their discussion covered bilateral, regional, and international matters, with an emphasis on enhancing economic and investment relations and cooperation in water security.
The dialogue underscored their shared commitment to peace and stability in the Middle East. They highlighted the importance of advancing the implementation of the Gaza ceasefire agreement's first and second phases and stabilizing the truce in the enclave. Sisi emphasized achieving lasting peace in the region, noting the global community's reliance on Trump's capacity to secure a historic peace agreement to end the long-standing regional conflict.
The leaders agreed on the necessity of maintaining communication and cooperation on mutual interests. This conversation follows Trump's controversial statements about "cleaning out" Gaza and resettling Palestinians in Egypt and Jordan, which the two nations have firmly opposed. Israel's actions in Gaza since a Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, have resulted in more than 47,400 Palestinian casualties, mostly women and children, leaving the area in devastation. Despite Trump's insistence on resettlement support from Jordan and Egypt, both countries reject the forced displacement of Palestinians from their homeland.