Palmetto State News

U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) issued a statement following his meeting with President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi of Egypt.

“I enjoyed a very cordial, frank and intense meeting with the President of Egypt regarding the way forward in the region. I reinforced to the President that the United States of America considers Egypt a valuable ally and partner. I appreciate the close military cooperation between our two countries. It is vitally important to our national security, especially with regard to our interests in the region. In addition to our deep security ties, economic opportunities for American investment loom large and will be a win-win for both countries.

“I informed the President I am grateful for his leadership at a time of great peril and acknowledge the efforts he has made to deal with the humanitarian crisis and border issues associated with the war in Gaza.

“This conflict caused by a barbaric attack against the state of Israel has created tension and raised security concerns unlike any time in the recent past.

“Egypt’s efforts to facilitate negotiations for a ceasefire and release of Israeli and American hostages have been essential. Egypt has also been indispensable in trying to negotiate the complexities of the Rafah operation without the war expanding.

“It is virtually impossible to take steps toward stability for the region now and in the future without President El-Sisi’s leadership. He is an indispensable player in determining how this ends and when this ends.

“Egypt is the linchpin in securing an end to this war and creating a better future for the region.

“He is fully engaged in ongoing efforts in the region to achieve lasting peace and security for all its peoples through implementing a two-state solution and opening doors for coexistence and regional cooperation. He indicated this outcome is possible and will be a game changer for the region, stating he will do what he can to help this process move forward.

“President El-Sisi told me that it is important to recognize legitimate rights and concerns of both Palestinians and Israelis, including as relates to security, making clear that he wants to build on existing peace agreements in the region but insisted it is long past time for Palestinians to have a sovereign state that lives peacefully beside Israel. He has also stressed on every occasion that there can be no regional stability without dignity, hope, and prosperity for Palestinian people.”

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