Sisi, Kerry discuss cooperation in ‘tumultuous’ Middle East

President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi met with US secretary of state John Kerry and Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry on Wednesday to discuss cooperation in light of the “tension and tumultuous” events in the Middle East.

During the meeting, Kerry asserted the US’ commitment towards Egypt’s stability and towards enhancing bilateral relations, according to a presidency statement.

Prior to Kerry’s arrival in Egypt on Wednesday morning, the US top diplomat met with his Iranian counterpart Mohamed Zarif Gawad in New York to discuss updates on the nuclear deal with Iran, according to a statement from the US state department.

The visit to Egypt came one day before Kerry’s scheduled visit to Saudi Arabia, where he will be joined by US president Barack Obama. The duo are set to meet with Saudi King Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud and Gulf leaders in a summit with the Gulf Cooperation Council scheduled to take place on 21 April in Riyadh

Hassan Nafaa, a political science professor, told Daily News Egypt that there is a strong relationship between Kerry’s three visits, which target worsening conditions in the Middle East, especially in Iran and Syria.

Nafaa said he does not believe bilateral talks will take place since the main focus of each meeting is to discuss conditions in the Middle East.

Obama’s visit to the Gulf is considered an extension of the Camp David treaty, said Nafaa, who added that both the US and Saudi Arabia have particular visions and suggestions for providing solutions to regional obstacles, which will be discussed at the summit.

Regarding US involvement in Arab countries, Nafaa clarified that Arab countries have requested US assistance in fighting terrorism in the region. The US, on the other hand, has refused to send US forces, but has promised aid and other form of military assistance.

source: Daily news Egypt