Sisi rejects dictatorship claims, says Trump would make a strong leader

Wednesday 21-09-2016 03:19 PM

Republican Presidential nominee Donald Trump holds a bi-lateral meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi in Manhattan, New York, U.S., September 19, 2016. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri

CAIRO, Sept 21 (Aswat Masriya) - Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said in a CNN interview that he has “no doubt” US presidential candidate Donald Trump would make a strong leader, and stressed that “there will be no chance for any dictatorship” in Egypt.

Sisi, who is currently in New York to attend the 71st session of the United Nations General Assembly, spoke to CNN’s Erin Burnett about his recent meetings with the US presidential candidates, Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton.

The two nominees had held separate meetings with Sisi on Monday, where they discussed various topics ranging from combating terrorism to human rights issues.

Sisi was the first leader in the Muslim world to meet with Trump, who previously proposed a plan to temporarily ban Muslim immigrants from entering the US. The Egyptian president however hinted that if Trump was elected, he probably wouldn’t follow through with his plans.

“The United States in general conducts very strict security measures for everyone who wishes to visit it and this has been in place for quite a few years,” Sisi told Burnett in a short video excerpt published by CNN few hours before the episode is aired. 

“It’s also important for us to know that during election campaigns many statements are made and many things are said, however afterwards the actual governing of the country would be something different and it would be subject to many factors,” he added. 

When asked if he believes Trump is saying “what he needs to say to be elected but that he might not follow through with the plan,” Sisi said that perceptions after the elections are altered due to different variables. 

“I don’t want to be unfair to anyone here. During election campaigns there could be a perception which is based on a certain vision and a point of view. Then that vision or point of view gets corrected and it develops as a result of experience, reports and advice from experts," he added.

Sisi, whose meeting with Clinton was more focused on the rule of law and human rights in Egypt, also believes the Democratic candidate would be qualified to be president of the US.

“Political parties in the United States would not allow candidates to reach that level unless they are qualified to lead a country the size of the United States of America,” Sisi said.

The former general, who has been the subject of heavy criticism from local and international human rights defenders over purported violations since he came into power in 2014, was asked about his reaction regarding Clinton’s statements on Egypt’s government, as she called it “basically an army dictatorship” during a live debate in December 2015.

“I am going to answer this question in two ways. I believe that Mrs. Clinton didn't make these statement after our most recent meeting between the two of us,” Sisi said.

“But also in Egypt there will be no a chance for any dictatorship because in Egypt there is a constitution, there is law, and there is the will of the people which will not allow any leader to stay in his position past his term which is four years," he added.

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