The Secretary-General met today with H.E. Mr. Abdel Fattah Al Sisi, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt.

The Secretary-General welcomed the important regional role played by Egypt in recent months. They discussed ways to further Egypt-UN cooperation, as well as other matters of mutual interest, including on Gaza and Libya. Both agreed on the need to make the ceasefire for Gaza sustainable and for a political process to achieve durable peace. Noting the upcoming donors’ conference on Gaza, both stressed that the cycle of destruction must end.
The Secretary-General expressed concern about the absence of due process for detainees and sentencing of journalists in Egypt, and called for the release of those detained solely for exercising their right to freedom of expression and association.

The Secretary-General condemned the deadly terror attack in central Cairo earlier that day and conveyed his condolences to the families of the victims.