Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi met with US Central Intelligence Agency Director John Ratcliffe on Sunday to discuss bilateral relations and key regional security developments.
The meeting was attended by Egyptian General Intelligence Service chief Hassan Rashad.
According to Egyptian Presidency spokesperson Mohamed El-Shenawy, the talks focused on strengthening the strategic partnership between Egypt and the United States. El-Sisi highlighted the continued development of bilateral ties and praised ongoing coordination between Cairo and Washington on regional and international issues.
The president described the United States as a key strategic partner for Egypt in the political, security and economic fields, while expressing appreciation for US President Donald Trump’s efforts to promote security, peace and stability.
The discussions also covered developments across the Middle East, with El-Sisi reaffirming Egypt’s support for efforts to reach a comprehensive agreement to end the crisis with Iran, restore regional stability and ensure freedom of international navigation.
El-Sisi also reiterated Egypt’s support for the security and sovereignty of Arab states and called for regional crises to be addressed through political and diplomatic channels while preserving national institutions and territorial integrity.
Ratcliffe conveyed greetings from President Trump and expressed Washington’s interest in maintaining close coordination with Egypt to support security and stability in the Middle East.
He also praised Egypt’s role in efforts to reach peaceful and comprehensive solutions to regional crises and highlighted cooperation between the CIA and Egypt’s General Intelligence Service in security, intelligence, counterterrorism, organized crime and transnational crime.
The meeting also addressed the situation in Gaza. El-Sisi stressed the importance of fully implementing the second phase of the US-backed plan to consolidate the ceasefire, while commending the mediators’ efforts to establish a roadmap for its implementation.
He reiterated Egypt’s position on the need to consolidate the ceasefire, protect civilians and ensure sustained humanitarian access to Gaza. He also called for creating conditions to resume the political process toward a just and comprehensive settlement of the Palestinian issue based on international legitimacy and the two-state solution.
Ratcliffe, for his part, praised Egypt’s central role in reaching the Gaza ceasefire agreement and its continued efforts to support peace and regional stability.
The two officials also discussed the war in Sudan, with El-Sisi reaffirming Egypt’s support for Sudan’s unity, stability and legitimate national institutions. He stressed that Sudan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity remain fundamental principles for Egypt and highlighted Cairo’s engagement in international and regional efforts aimed at ending the war, easing the humanitarian crisis and supporting a political settlement.
Developments in the Horn of Africa were also discussed. El-Sisi reaffirmed Egypt’s support for efforts to promote security and stability in Somalia and rejected any measures that could undermine its sovereignty or territorial integrity.
Ratcliffe expressed US appreciation for Egypt’s role in supporting security and stability across Africa, stressing the importance of continued coordination between the two countries on Sudan, Somalia, the Horn of Africa and international maritime security.
The talks also covered efforts to address terrorism, organized crime and broader security and geopolitical challenges, alongside the exchange of assessments and information on regional and international developments affecting the stability of the region.
Sun, Sep. 20, 2026
