Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi received US Secretary of Defence Lloyd J. Austin and his accompanying delegation in Cairo on Wednesday. The meeting focused on several regional and international issues. President Al-Sisi stressed Egypt’s keenness on strengthening the strategic partnership with the US.

The President emphasised Egypt’s commitment to further intensifying cooperation and coordination between the two countries in various areas, particularly in the military and security fields, given their importance in reinforcing efforts to restore security and stability and consolidate peace in the Middle East region.

Ahmed Fahmy, the spokesperson for the presidency, stated that Al-Sisi reiterated the need to exert intensive international efforts so as to achieve calm in the Palestinian territories and halt unilateral measures and escalation.

Al-Sisi confirmed that the two-state solution, according to the relevant references of international legitimacy, is considered the pathway toward achieving just and comprehensive peace for the benefit of the peoples of the region.

The meeting also touched on efforts to reinforce peace and stability at the international level, in light of the successive global crises, which cast shadow on the various countries around the world.

For his part, the US Secretary of Defence confirmed that his country holds the Egyptian leadership in high esteem and highly appreciates Egypt’s key role in the Middle East as a rational and responsible stabilizing force.

He also stressed the American commitment to further advancing and strengthening cooperation and the strategic partnership with Egypt, particularly their defense cooperation, which constitutes a fundamental cornerstone in the two countries’ relations.

The meeting was also attended by Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and Minister of Defence and Military Production, General Mohamed Zaki, and US Chargé d’Affaires in Egypt, Ambassador Daniel Rubinstein.

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