Sisi Reaffirms To Obama Commitment To Transition Roadmap

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi told U.S. President Barack Obama that his country was committed to a transitional roadmap imposed by the army following the ousting of ex-President Mohamed Morsi.



Al-Sisi told the U.S. leader over the phone that Egypt was also committed to creating a democratic system that respects rights and freedoms, according to presidential spokesman Alaa Youssef.



"The two presidents focused in their phone conversation on bilateral relations in general and means of bolstering them," Youssef said in a statement.



He added that al-Sisi and Obama also discussed cooperation in various fields, especially in the fight against terrorism.



Youssef added that the two leaders also discussed efforts Egypt made at the regional level, especially with regards to the Palestinian cause and means of bringing security back to Iraq and Libya.



Al-Sisi told the U.S. president that Egypt made major efforts to back the Iraqi government and the elected parliament in Libya as well as the North African country's army, Youssef said.



U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is expected to submit a report to Congress soon on whether Egypt had met the requirements needed for the latter to resume receiving U.S. military and financial aid.



The U.S. has been giving Egypt $1.3 billion in military aid since the country signed a peace treaty with Israel in 1979. Part of this aid was, however, withheld by Washington after the Egyptian army ousted elected President Morsi in July of last year.



The transitional roadmap, which was imposed following Morsi's ouster, includes the drafting of a new constitution, holding presidential elections and then parliamentary elections.



Egypt expects to hold its parliamentary polls – the last step on the transitional roadmap – before March of next year, according to Egyptian officials.  



www.aa.com.tr/en - Kahire