President Donald Trump praised Egyptian president President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, announcing support for his administration.
“He’s done a fantastic job in a very difficult situation,” Trump said. “We are very much behind Egypt and the people of Egypt.”
Al-Sisi was largely shunned by the Obama administration, as he led the military coup to topple President Mohamed Morsi, a leader of the Muslim Brotherhood. Trump met with al-Sisi in New York during the presidential campaign, building the relationship in September 2016.
Both Trump and al-Sisi are committed to fight against radical Islamic terrorism.
“We will fight terrorism and other things and we’re going to be friends for a long, long period of time,” Trump said.
Al-Sisi praised Trump’s leadership, especially his public statements against radical terrorists, which he described as “a satanic ideology.”
“I’ve had a deep appreciation and admiration of your unique personality, especially as you are standing very strong in the counter-terrorism field,” he said. “To counter this evil ideology that is claiming innocent lives, that is bringing devastation to communities and nations, and that is terrorizing the innocent people.”