Terrorism strikes Egypt, Arab countries, Middle East, Europe

President Abdel Fattah El Sisi said on Monday that terrorism strikes not only Egypt and Arab countries but it threatens the whole Middle East region and Europe as well.

In an interview with France 24 on Monday, the Egyptian president called on world countries to unite to face such threat to humanity, stability and security in the entire world.

He added that defeat of terrorists in Syria and Iraq means that some of them will move to North African countries, such as Egypt and Libya.

We should join forces to prevent the arrival of those fighters and weapons and the finance provided for them, he added.

During the past three years, the Egyptian army destroyed more than 1,200 vehicles loaded with weapons, ammunition, militants and fighters, he said. 
President Abdel Fattah El Sisi said on Monday that securing borders extending 1,200 kilometers in desert areas is not easy.

“There are joint efforts that prevent the arrival of weapons, ammunition and fighters in the Libyan territories,” Sisi said in an interview with France 24.

At least 16 Egyptian policemen were killed on Friday in a shootout during a raid on a terrorist hideout in Egypt’s western desert.

“We opened an investigation into the incident,” Sisi said, refusing to hold a certain country responsible for the incident.

"There are countries that provide terrorists with funds, weapons and training for fighters as well as media and political support,” he said.

"Such countries must stop not only for the stability of Egypt but also for the stability of the world," he made it clear.

On a dispute with Qatar, the president said that Doha should agree to a list of 14 demands, including the halt of support for terrorism and non-interference in others’ affairs. 
President Sisi affirmed his full keenness on Egypt and its people.

The Egyptian state is keen on respecting and protecting its citizens and their rights. They elected me for that, Sisi said.

He added that the martyrs, their families, children, widows and mothers who have lost their children in terrorist incidents in the last three years also have human rights that should be respected.

Similar situation in other countries without mentioning the names resulted in the displacement of millions when things get out of control, we are responsible for the security and safety of 100 million Egyptians, the president said.

He added that members of the Muslim Brotherhood are fairly tried according to law.

The president affirmed that there are no political detainees in Egypt, expressing readiness to receive all friends to inspect the Egyptian prisons and meet the public prosecutor to be briefed on all the actions taken regarding fair litigation procedures through which all legal measures are taken into account in accordance with Egyptian law.

He added that human rights organizations have to know more about the Egyptian position, affirming that there is a systematic campaign against Egypt. 
President Sisi said the Palestinian reconciliation aims to create a suitable climate and prevent the conditions in the Gaza Strip from turning into a flammable situation.

He added that it was important to enable the Palestinian authority to govern the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, to open crossings upon previous agreements that have been signed since 2005, and then create a climate for a conducive opportunity to bring peace and establish two states, able to secure the life of the Israeli citizens in exchange for protecting the life and security of the Palestinian citizens.

The Rafah crossing is part of the crossings leading to the Gaza Strip. The crossing is governed by international agreements. The return of the Palestinian Authority can be a major contribution to the return of the movement to the port. Therefore, part of these efforts will limit terrorism in this region, Sisi said.

He refused using of "militants" term to refer to terrorists in Sinai, affirmed that they are terrorist extremist persons plotting to destroy life and humanity wherever they are. 
Asked whether there are certain countries that hate Egypt and do not want it to succeed in the Palestinian reconciliation, President Sisi said Egypt seeks to establish stability, security and peace in the region and believes that there is an opportunity to reach that now. He referred to his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying it was within the framework of the country's vision in this respect.

Egypt supports all efforts that would lead to establishing peace between the Palestinians and the Israelis and this can be done through common efforts and encouraging all parties toward moving positively in this direction, President Sisi said, stressing that this would establish peace and stability in the region.

As for the Syrian file, the president told France 24 that Egypt has a steadfast stance regarding countries that face instability including Syria. It is necessary to protect their unity in order to prevent further crises in the area and to protect the national state, he said.

We believe that the national army is the one responsible for protecting the state and confronting terror and this is the only way to end chaos in the region whether in Syria, Libya or Somalia, he added,

The Syrian people are responsible for choosing their future and if they choose the current regime then it is the people's choice, the president said. It is up to the Syrian people to choose their ruler, he added.
Regarding relations with Iran, President Sisi said in his interview with France 24 that relations with Iran has been severed for around 40 years. As for Iran's role in the region and whether it is a threat as the Gulf states see, President Sisi said we support the Gulf states in terms of their security and stability and believe that their national security is part of ours and Egypt is part of the national Arab security and this includes security and stability of the Gulf area.

The president stressed support to any measures that would lead to stability and peace in the Gulf. Egypt seeks to ease the tension and guarantee the security of the Gulf brothers and not on the account of anyone, he added.

As for rapprochement between Iran and Qatar, President Sisi said that it is enough for use that the 14 demands of the countries aimed at protecting our nations and this is clear in the role played by this country.

Asked about coordination between Egypt and France about Libya, President Sisi said certainly there is coordination and Egypt is keen on restoring stability to Libya, eliminating terrorism and reaching unity of its lands. There is an opportunity for a political solution to the Libyan crisis and Egypt supports this opportunity, he said, adding that Egypt supports the agreement among Libyan brothers and assists them to reach a political solution they all agree upon.

Libya's stability and sovereignty over its soil in the end serves Egypt's national security, President Sisi said, stressing Egypt's support to reaching a peaceful solution to prevent further deterioration and therefore there is constant coordination.
Asked about renewal of the religious discourse, President Sisi said progress has been reached in this respect and Al Azhar is mainly concerned with this issue and exerts efforts in it. However, efforts need some time in order for us to feel any results, he said.

As for giving priority to Africa and returning to it after a long time, President Sisi told France 24 that Egypt is part of Africa and this is a normal return for Egypt. Our relations with our brothers and partners in Africa has become even stronger that before and this is Egypt's steadfast policy regarding its brothers in Africa, the president said.

Asked whether there is a certain mechanism for developing the economy in order to create job opportunities, the president said Egypt has an ambitious economic program and there is a difference between the deterioration of the currency and liberation of its exchange rate and the latter is what Egypt has dome so that its currency would have a real value and that the price of goods and services would be based on the real value of the currency. Previously, the state supported the dollar's exchange rate and therefore supported all purchases in dollars, but now everything is priced according to the real value of the Egyptian pound, the president said.

Concerning the international youth conference, slated for November 4 in Sharm El Sheikh, President Sisi said he was keen to invite representatives of youths from all parts of the world. He referred to periodical meetings with Egypt's youth over a whole year, saying we have found the experiment very fruitful in terms of exchanging views and building confidence between youth and the government and the idea developed into youth conferences that include representatives of youth from world countries to discuss world issues from the youth's perspective.

Asked about the possibility of reaching reconciliation with the terrorist Muslim Brotherhood during his term and ahead of the presidential elections next year, President Sisi said "to me, this question always has one answer, which is that only the Egyptian people have the answer to it and not me personally." The Egyptian people are very angry and everybody should take this into consideration, he stressed.

Source: MENA