Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi on Tuesday met with Ammar Al-Hakim, head of the Iraqi National Wisdom Movement, and Annita Demetriou, President of the Cypriot House of Representatives, to discuss regional stability and bilateral cooperation.
During his meeting with Al-Hakim, Al-Sisi emphasised Egypt’s commitment to Iraq’s security and stability. According to the Egyptian Presidency spokesperson, Al-Sisi affirmed Egypt’s readiness to support Iraq’s development efforts. Hassan Rashad, the head of Egyptian General Intelligence, and Al-Hakim’s delegation were present at the meeting.
Al-Hakim expressed his gratitude for the historical ties between Iraq and Egypt and acknowledged Egypt’s leading role in maintaining regional security and stability, as well as its continued support for Iraq in various sectors.
Ambassador Mohamed El-Shennawy, the spokesperson, stated that the two leaders also addressed regional developments, focusing on the situation in the Gaza Strip. They emphasised the need to implement the ceasefire agreement in its entirety, including the exchange of prisoners and detainees and the delivery of humanitarian aid.
Both parties stressed the importance of initiating the early recovery and reconstruction of the Gaza Strip without displacing its Palestinian inhabitants. They rejected any proposals aimed at displacing the Palestinian people, fearing it would liquidate the Palestinian issue and threaten the national security of regional countries. They underscored the importance of establishing a Palestinian state based on the June 4, 1967, borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, as the only way to achieve lasting peace in the region.
The meeting also covered developments in Syria. Al-Sisi and Al-Hakim emphasised the need to preserve Syria’s unity, safety, and sovereignty. They called for a political process that includes all segments of the Syrian population, leading to the approval of a new constitution and the holding of elections. Additionally, they highlighted the importance of ending the occupation of Syrian territories.
Furthermore, they discussed the need to continue efforts to restore stability in regional countries and to avoid escalation and a wider regional conflict, which they agreed would have negative consequences for all countries and their people.
In a separate meeting on Tuesday, Al-Sisi received Annita Demetriou, President of the Cypriot House of Representatives. Hanafi Gebali, Speaker of the Egyptian House of Representatives, and the Cypriot Ambassador to Cairo also attended the meeting.
Al-Sisi affirmed the strong relations between Egypt and Cyprus, as well as Egypt’s commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation in areas of common interest, including energy, trade, and investment. He also highlighted the importance of political coordination and parliamentary cooperation in fostering understanding between the two countries.
Ambassador El-Shennawy stated that Al-Sisi and Demetriou discussed regional and international developments, including the situations in the Gaza Strip, Syria, and Lebanon. They emphasised the need to respect the sovereignty and integrity of states and to adhere to international law, stressing the importance of resolving crises through peaceful means. Al-Sisi stressed the necessity of continued consultation and coordination between Egypt and Cyprus, including through the tripartite cooperation mechanism with Greece.
Demetriou praised the strong relations between Egypt and Cyprus and stated that her visit reflected a mutual commitment to ongoing parliamentary exchanges. She also expressed her appreciation for Egypt’s role in ensuring regional security and stability.
