Macron and Sisi discuss consolidating the ceasefire in Gaza and the situation in Lebanon

French President Emmanuel Macron met with his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Alexandria on Saturday, on the sidelines of the opening of a new campus belonging to the Francophone Senghor University, at the start of a tour Macron is undertaking in Africa.

A statement issued by the Egyptian presidential spokesperson said that the two presidents discussed “developments in regional issues.”

They discussed consolidating the ceasefire in Gaza and the continued entry of humanitarian aid, in addition to the situation in Lebanon.

The spokesman referred to “Egyptian efforts to contain current tensions,” and stressed Cairo’s “categorical” rejection of any infringement on the sovereignty of Arab states.

According to the statement, Macron “appreciated” the progress in French-Egyptian relations, expressing “his country’s keenness to develop cooperation in various fields,” and also praised “the volume of trade and French investments in Egypt.”

During his visit, Macron will inaugurate a new campus for the Francophone Senghor University in Borg El Arab, west of Alexandria.

The university, which specializes in African development, was founded in 1990 at the initiative of the Francophonie organization. It focuses on development issues and preparing future leaders for the continent.

Hani Hilal, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the University, said that it has been present in Egypt “for more than 35 years,” noting that “about 4200 cadres have graduated from it in various development fields,” such as “management, health, environment, and crisis and disaster management.”

After the university's opening, the two presidents will visit the historic Qaitbay Citadel on the Alexandria coast, before participating in a working dinner at the end of Macron's visit to Egypt, after which he will head to Kenya and then to Ethiopia.