On the margins of the African Summit in Malabo, the Secretary-General met today with President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi of Egypt.  The Secretary-General noted the importance of Egypt’s leadership in the region and globally. The President and Secretary-General discussed issues of Middle-East peace and security and Egypt's domestic developments.

The Secretary-General pledged the United Nations' ongoing support to the government of Egypt in helping to meet the aspirations of the Egyptian people for a prosperous, peaceful and democratic Egypt.  He urged President El-Sisi to use his leadership and popular mandate to promote full respect for human rights in Egypt.

The Secretary-General noted that the President has assumed office at a critical moment in Egypt’s history. The Egyptian authorities face many important and difficult decisions, but they also have an historic opportunity to heal the nation.