Egypt’s Sisi Meets Syria’s Sharaa in Historic Cairo Summit

On Tuesday, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi met Syria’s president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, in Cairo during a summit on Gaza reconstruction. This marked their first engagement since Sharaa’s rise to power following the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad. Sisi’s administration has taken a cautious approach to the new Syrian leadership compared to Gulf nations, amid Egypt’s ongoing stance against Islamist movements.

On Tuesday, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi engaged in a historic meeting with Syria’s newly appointed president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, during a summit in Cairo that focused on the reconstruction of Gaza. This marked the first direct interaction between the two leaders since Sharaa’s rise to power following a rebellion that culminated in the ousting of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.

Sharaa, an Islamist with previous ties to al Qaeda, is actively seeking to secure diplomatic support from both Arab nations and Western powers. In contrast, President Sisi has maintained a strict stance against Islamist movements in Egypt, a country regarded as influential in the Arab world and a strong ally of the United States.

Although countries in the Gulf region have expressed more enthusiastic reactions to the new Syrian administration, Egypt’s response has been measured and cautious. This approach comes amid criticism from state-affiliated media outlets within Egypt regarding the changes in Syria’s leadership. Reports indicate that Syria’s Foreign Minister, Asaad Hassan al-Shibani, was also present at the meeting, although details regarding their discussions were not disclosed.

This meeting between President al-Sisi and President al-Sharaa represents a significant moment in Egyptian-Syrian relations, particularly in light of Egypt’s political stance towards Islamism and its cautious engagement with Syria’s new leadership. The summit’s focus on Gaza reconstruction underscores ongoing regional issues that require cooperation among Arab nations. Further developments in this relationship will be crucial for the future dynamics of the Middle East.

Original Source: www.usnews.com