Sisi invites Trump to Egypt for talks on Middle East crises

ISTANBUL

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi received a phone call from Donald Trump, during which he invited the US leader to visit Egypt to discuss ongoing crises in the Middle East, his office said on Saturday.

"President Sisi congratulated Trump once again on assuming office for a second term as president of the US, reflecting the great confidence he enjoys among the American people and recognition of his capabilities," Egyptian presidential spokesperson Mohamed El-Shennawy said in a statement.

Sisi extended an invitation to Trump to visit Egypt at the earliest opportunity to strenghten the "strategic relations" between the two countries and discuss the "complex issues and crises" in the Middle East, contributing to regional stability, as well as to participate in the inauguration of the new Egyptian museum, the statement added.

The official opening date of the Grand Egyptian Museum has not yet been announced. However, local media, including the privately-owned Al-Masry Al-Youm newspaper, said the proposed date is July 3, with celebrations expected to last several days.

Trump, for his part, also extended an open invitation to Sisi to visit Washington and meet him at the White House, according to the Egyptian presidential spokesperson.

The conversation touched on “bilateral, regional and international issues,” emphasizing “the strategic relations that bind the two countries and the need to further strengthen economic and investment relations as well as cooperation in the field of water security.”

The call also stressed their commitment to achieve peace and stability in the Middle East.

There was "positive dialogue," including on the critical importance of advancing the implementation of the first and second phases of the Jan. 19 Gaza ceasefire agreement, and "stabilization" of the truce in the enclave.

In this context, Sisi reiterated the importance of achieving "lasting peace" in the region, pointing out that the international community depends on Trump's ability to "secure a historic and enduring peace agreement, which would bring an end to the decades-long conflict in the region."

The two leaders agreed on “the necessity of continuing communication, coordination, and cooperation between the two countries on issues of mutual interest.”

The conversation comes in the wake of repeated statements from Trump suggesting to "clean out" Gaza and resettle Palestinians to Egypt and Jordan, describing the enclave as a "demolition site." The two countries, however, vehemently rejected any call for the displacement or relocation of Palestinians from their land.

Israel has killed more than 47,400 Palestinians, most of them women and children, in Gaza since a cross-border attack by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023. The relentless Israeli attacks have left the enclave in ruins.

Trump on Thursday insisted that Jordan and Egypt will support his proposal to resettle Gazans. “They will do it … We do a lot for them, and they’re gonna do it,” he said.