Egypt, Elsewedy review progress on Ain Sokhna phosphate complex    US employment cost index 3.6% up in year to June 2025    Egypt welcomes Canada, Malta's decision to recognise Palestinian state    Pakistan says successfully concluded 'landmark trade deal' with US    Sterling set for sharpest monthly drop since 2022    Egypt, Brazil sign deal to boost pharmaceutical cooperation    Modon Holding posts AED 2.1bn net profit in H1 2025    Egypt's Electricity Ministry says new power cable for Giza area operational    Egypt's Al-Sisi, Italian defence minister discuss Gaza, security cooperation    Egypt's FM discusses Gaza, Nile dam with US senators    Aid airdrops intensify as famine deepens in Gaza amid mounting international criticism    Egypt exports first high-tech potato seeds to Uzbekistan after opening market    Health minister showcases AI's impact on healthcare at Huawei Cloud Summit    On anti-trafficking day, Egypt's PM calls fight a 'moral and humanitarian duty'    Egypt strengthens healthcare partnerships to enhance maternity, multiple sclerosis, and stroke care    Egypt keeps Gaza aid flowing, total tops 533,000 tons: minister    Indian Embassy to launch cultural festival in Assiut, film fest in Cairo    Egyptian aid convoy heads toward Gaza as humanitarian crisis deepens    Culture minister launches national plan to revive film industry, modernise cinematic assets    I won't trade my identity to please market: Douzi    Sisi sends letter to Nigerian president affirming strategic ties    Two militants killed in foiled plot to revive 'Hasm' operations: Interior ministry    Egypt, Somalia discuss closer environmental cooperation    Egypt's EHA, Huawei discuss enhanced digital health    Foreign, housing ministers discuss Egypt's role in African development push    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    Three ancient rock-cut tombs discovered in Aswan    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Egypt's Irrigation Minister urges scientific cooperation to tackle water scarcity    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



US-Arab-Islamic summit kicks off with speeches by Salman and Trump
US and Saudi Arabia signed memorandum of understanding against sources funding terror organisations
Published in Daily News Egypt on 21 - 05 - 2017

Following the conclusion of US-Saudi talks, the unprecedented US-Arab-Islamic summit kicked off in attendance of 56 Arab Muslim leaders and US president Donald Trump.
The summit was announced a few weeks ago and aims to discuss ways of combating terrorism and solutions to regional crises, especially the Palestinian issue.
On the sidelines of the summit, President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi met with Trump on Sunday, in which Trump expressed his aspiration to visit Cairo soon, asserting that this will be listed on his work schedule, as there is a lot to discuss with Egypt.
Trump praised Al-Sisi and his administration, depicting him as a friend.
The Saudi Supreme Council of Scholars praised the summit, hopeful that it would result in ways to eliminate terrorism. The summit was further seen by Saudi officials and experts as "historic", not only for being the first of its kind, but for proving that Muslim countries could have deep and strong relations with the US.
Prior to the US-Arab-Islamic summit, another two summits took place between Saudi King Salman and the US president. During the first, the Saudi-US summit, a deal valued at $110bn was signed between the two countries.
The massive arms deal includes Saudi Arabia's purchase of planes, ships, and precision-guided bombs, as well as new radar systems.
Meanwhile, during the US-Gulf summit, a memorandum of understanding was signed among Gulf countries and the US to prevent funding of terror organisations.
Other military agreements were signed at a value of over $400bn.
Al-Sisi has been focusing his talks about counterterrorism on combating sources that are funding terror organisations, along with other mechanisms related to improving religious discourse and international community cooperation.
Samir Ghattas, parliament member and researcher at Al-Ahram Center for Strategic Studies, commented that he does not believe that this summit would help with the Palestinian issue, as both sides sponsoring the summit—Saudi Arabia and the US—are only concerned with their own countries' interests.
"I don't think the summit will carry any professional force to solve the current crises, as both sides have different reasons and motives," Ghattas said.
For the significance of Egypt's presence, he said that Egypt aims to support the US; however, it is not preferable to join the NATO coalition, as Egypt was not initially part of the conflict with Iran.
Ghattas also commented on the military deals signed between the US and Saudi Arabia, saying that it is not beneficial for fighting the Islamic State organisation, as the weapons agreed upon are not used against them.
Meanwhile, political researcher Atef El-Ghamri told Daily News Egypt that the summit is a preliminary step for finding solutions for regional issues, especially since Trump has already started forming a certain strategy for the region.
He added that Trump's presence among Arab leaders to discuss regional crises is important, since he is leading the country that has the greatest impact on the Middle East.
Trump's first foreign tour started with Saudi Arabia, which has warmly greeted him and the team accompanying him, which include dozens of US business leaders, including the heads of JPMorgan Chase, Citigroup, Dow Chemical, and General Electric.
Opposite to former US president Barack Obama's visit after his inauguration, who started his first Middle East visit with Egypt, Trump began with Saudi Arabia. Ghattas commented on this, saying that this reflects both leaders' visions, as Obama targeted political reasons, being aware of the political importance of Egypt, while Trump focuses more on economic issues.
US relations with Egypt and Saudi Arabia were very tense during Obama's tenure; however, it is currently witnessing significant improvements following Trump's inauguration.


Clic here to read the story from its source.