Egypt Daily News – President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi received General Michael Kurilla, Commander of the United States Central Command (CENTCOM), in Cairo today for high-level talks on regional security, bilateral cooperation, and pressing geopolitical issues. The meeting was attended by Egypt’s Minister of Defense and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, General Abdel Meguid Saqr, and U.S. Ambassador to Egypt, Herro Mustafa Garg.
According to presidential spokesperson Ambassador Mohamed El-Shenawy, General Kurilla conveyed greetings from U.S. President Donald Trump, a gesture that President Sisi warmly welcomed, underscoring the depth and strength of the strategic partnership between Egypt and the United States.
The meeting focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation, particularly in the fields of defense and security. Both sides affirmed their shared commitment to supporting regional and international stability, highlighting the importance of continued coordination in addressing mutual threats and challenges.
President Sisi reiterated Egypt’s unwavering efforts to broker a ceasefire in Gaza, facilitate the exchange of hostages and detainees, and ensure the urgent entry of humanitarian aid into the besieged Palestinian enclave. He praised recent U.S. efforts, led by President Trump, to push for a cessation of hostilities, and emphasized the need to revive the peace process with the goal of achieving long-term peace and security in the Middle East.
The two sides discussed broader regional developments, expressing agreement on the urgent need to de-escalate tensions and pursue sustainable political solutions to ongoing conflicts. The discussions covered the evolving situations in Syria, Libya, Sudan, and the Horn of Africa.
A key topic of the meeting was Egypt’s water security and the ongoing crisis over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). President Sisi stressed the vital importance of the Nile River to Egypt, reiterating that the issue is a matter of national security. His comments came in response to recent remarks by President Trump, who once again raised concerns over the risks posed by the dam to Egypt’s water supply.
In a public statement Friday, Trump had said, “Ethiopia built the dam largely with U.S. funding. It’s one of the biggest dams in the world. Egypt and Ethiopia were on the brink of war over it.” His comments have reignited attention on the dispute, fueling speculation about Washington’s stance and its potential role in mediating the crisis.
President Sisi’s meeting with General Kurilla comes amid a turbulent regional landscape, marked by persistent conflict and growing concerns over environmental and water-related security. As part of the broader U.S.-Egypt strategic dialogue, the discussions reflected mutual interest in promoting peace, stability, and responsible resource management in one of the world’s most geopolitically sensitive regions.
The two parties agreed to continue high-level coordination and maintain open channels of communication, particularly in light of the evolving regional dynamics and shared security objectives.
