Cairo(Mogadishu24)-Egypt’s President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi affirmed on Sunday that Egypt will not allow any threat to Somalia or its security, expressing Cairo’s full rejection of interfering in Somalia’s affairs or undermining its territorial integrity.

During a press conference with the President of the Federal Republic of Somalia Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in Cairo, El-Sisi further stressed that Somalia is an Arab country with rights within the common defense and that the agreement between Ethiopia and Somaliland “is unacceptable to anyone.”

“Somalia is an Arab state in the Arab League with rights, according to the Charter of the League, to collective defense against any threat it faces,” El-Sisi said. “We are not threatening anyone; we are stating this for clarity,” he stressed.

“We will not allow anyone to threaten Somalia or infringe upon its territory. I say with utmost clarity, no one should attempt to threaten Egypt’s brothers, especially if our brothers have requested our presence alongside them,” the Egyptian president said.

The strong message by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi comes as he received President of the Republic of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud at Al-Ittihadiya Palace and held discussions on ways to strengthen bilateral relations and regional situations.

“H.E. President @HassanSMohamud was formally received by his counterpart, H.E. President @AlsisiOfficial of the Arab Republic of Egypt, at Al-Ittihadiya Palace in Cairo, Egypt. Upon arrival, the President was accorded a formal reception where he inspected a guard of honour and witnessed a performance of the national anthems of both countries. Later, the two leaders will hold bilateral discussions on issues of mutual interest”, Villa Somalia said tweeted this before the Press conference.

Egyptian Government expressed full solidarity with Somalia over its sovereignty, and territorial integrity following the MoU between Ethiopia and Somaliland, leasing 20 kilometers of sea access to Ethiopia.

Source: Ahram/Mogadishu24