Egypt rejects non-Arab forces having a foothold in Yemen, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi said in a joint presser with Yemeni counterpart Abd Rabo Hadi after the two leaders held a meeting in Cairo on Monday. "Yemen's security and stability is a top priority not only for Egypt's national security, but the security and stability of the entire region, and we therefore reject Yemen becoming a stronghold for non-Arab forces, a threat to the security and stability of brotherly Arab states, or [endanger] freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and the Strait of Bab Al-Mandab," said El-Sisi. El-Sisi stressed Egypt's commitment to supporting the stability and territorial integrity of Yemen and the preservation of its current leadership. During his speech, El-Sisi has also expressed Egypt's support for the efforts by the UN special envoy to Yemen Martin Griffiths to achieve a consensus between various Yemeni political parties and reach a political solution to the conflict in the country. El-Sisi said that he has had "fruitful discussions on strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries on all levels, as well as mechanisms to achieve a political solution and alleviate the human suffering of the brotherly Yemeni people." Egyptian presidency spokesperson Bassam Rady said that the two leaders discussed cooperation between Egypt and Yemen to enhance the protection of maritime navigation in the Red Sea and the Bab Al-Mandab Strait "to avoid being negatively affected by the current situation in Yemen." Hadi thanked Egypt for its supportive stance and its condemnation of the "Houthi coup" in Yemen. Hadi also discussed with El-Sisi the latest developments in his country as well as issues of bilateral interest and a number of regional and international issues. “We are sure that the support from Egypt will continue,” Hadi said, describing Egypt as a defender of Arab causes. The Yemeni president also discussed with El-Sisi the threats posed by Houthi militias to security on the Red Sea. “We aspire to see an end to this war and the suffering of the Yemeni people at the hands of the Houthi [militias],” he said. He also thanked Egypt for hosting tens of thousands of Yemeni citizens who have fled their country to escape the fighting. Ahead of the conference, El-Sisi witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Central Bank of Egypt and Yemen to enhance cooperation between the two countries in the banking sector, especially in exchanging skills and training workers.
