by WorldTribune Staff, November 20, 2016
Donald Trump will be a strong leader for America and has a “deep understanding” of the Middle East, Egyptian President Abdul Fatah Sisi said.
“I believe that President Trump will be vigorously engaged with the issues in the region,” Sisi said in an interview with Portuguese news agency LUSA on Nov. 19.
“As a matter of fact, Trump has shown deep and great understanding of what is taking place in the region as a whole and Egypt in particular. I am looking forward and expecting more support and reinforcement of our bilateral relations.”
Trump has a clear path to restore relations between Egypt and the U.S. that became tense after the ousting of Islamist President Mohammed Morsi, who the Obama administration had supported.
The Egyptian president said in the interview, “let’s not jump to conclusions or worry” about future U.S. actions or policies in the Middle East.
“We have to distinguish between the rhetoric that takes place within presidential campaigns and the real and actual administration of a country after the inauguration,” Sisi said. “There will be a chance for more thorough readings.”
Egypt’s pro-government media supported Trump’s win the Nov. 8 election. Many believe Trump will be able to offer international political support as Sisi battles the Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL) insurgency in Sinai.