Egyptian president: Don’t ‘jump to conclusions’ on Trump
Sissi says campaign rhetoric is in the past, believes president-elect 'will be more rigorously engaged with the issues of the region'
CAIRO — Egypt’s President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi on Saturday said US President-elect Donald J. Trump’s words as a presidential candidate will be different from his actions as a president.
In an interview with Portuguese news agency LUSA, Sissi said, “Let’s not jump into conclusions or worry” about future US actions or policies in the region.
“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,” he said. “There will be a chance for more thorough readings.”
“Personally I respect and appreciate” Trump, Sissi said according to an English translation of his remarks. “I believe that President-elect Trump will be more rigorously engaged with the issues of the region,” he said.
“As a matter of fact President-elect Trump has shown deep and great understanding of what is taking place in the region as a whole and what is taking place in Egypt,” he added.
“That is why I am looking forward, and I am expecting more support and more reinforcement of our bilateral relations”.
Sissi, the former defense minister who was elected after leading the military ouster of Islamist President Mohammed Morsi, has painted himself as a regional leader in the fight against Islamic militancy, a stance that echoes Trump’s priorities.
