US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Egypt on Wednesday as part of a diplomatic tour to bolster the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel, which came into effect last week. Reuters has reported that Blinken met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and the head of Egypt’s General Intelligence Agency, Abbas Kamel, at the presidential palace. In an address to the staff at the US embassy in Cairo, Blinken said that Egypt and the US are working together to let Israelis and Palestinians live together in safety and security, according to Reuters. “We have had in Egypt a real and effective partner in dealing with the violence, bringing it to a close, relatively quickly. And now, we are working closely together to build something positive,” he stated. Egypt and Jordan have key roles in restoring calm in the region, according to Blinken, stating last Tuesday that “Egypt played a critical role in helping to broker the ceasefire and Jordan has long been a voice for peace and stability in the region.” Blinken’s arrival in Egypt follows talks with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli…
US Secretary of State Blinken Praises Egypt as ‘Effective Partner’ in Gaza Ceasefire During Cairo Visit
May 26, 2021