US Republicans back Egypt's Sissi despite rights concerns

A US Republican delegation visiting Cairo says President Abdel-Fattah Sissi is the “right man at the right time” for Egypt even as Washington criticizes alleged rights abuses in the country.

The six-member delegation led by hawkish senator Lindsey Graham backs Sissi in the fight against the Islamic State group, but is cautious when asked to respond to growing accusations of human rights violations committed by Egyptian security forces.

Graham says Sissi was “the right man at the right time” to lead Egypt as the Islamic State group has become a “nightmare” for the entire region.

“There is a desire that Daesh be destroyed in Sinai… the president has expressed his desire to destroy Daesh,” says Graham, using the Arabic acronym for the IS.

— AFP