Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi met Syria’s new President Ahmed al-Sharaa for the first time on the sidelines of a Gaza reconstruction summit in Cairo. Sharaa is seeking support after leading a successful rebellion against Bashar al-Assad. Sisi’s government has been careful in its response to Syria’s new leadership, contrasting with the more direct approaches taken by Gulf states.
On Tuesday, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi met for the first time with Syria’s newly appointed President Ahmed al-Sharaa during a summit in Cairo focused on the reconstruction of Gaza. This meeting occurred amidst Sharaa’s efforts to garner support from both Arab and Western leaders following his leadership of a rebel offensive that ousted former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.
President Sisi’s administration has a history of suppressing Islamist movements within Egypt, the most populous Arab nation, which maintains significant influence across the Middle East and is a vital ally of the United States. In contrast to Gulf nations, Egypt has adopted a more measured approach towards the recently established regime in Syria, which has faced criticism from state-affiliated media outlets in Cairo.
The Syrian state news agency reported that Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani also participated in this significant meeting, although further details regarding the discussions were not disclosed. The cautious yet strategic engagement by Egypt reflects its complex relationship with the evolving political landscape in Syria.
In summary, the inaugural meeting between President Sisi and President Sharaa signifies Egypt’s efforts to navigate its diplomatic stance towards Syria amidst changing leadership. Despite historical tensions, Egypt’s cautious engagement highlights its influential role within the Arab world and its alignment with Western interests.
Original Source: www.usnews.com
