Egypt's Sisi stresses support for Sudan's security, stability

CAIRO, March 12 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi stressed on Tuesday his country's full support for the Security and stability of neighboring Sudan, the Egyptian presidential spokesman said in a statement.

Sisi's remarks came after his talks with visiting Sudanese First Vice President and Defense Minister Awad Ibn Auf in the capital Cairo, where they discussed bilateral relations at all levels, according to Egypt's presidential spokesman Bassam Rady.

Sisi considered Sudan's Security "extension of the Egyptian national Security."

"Egypt is keen on continuing joint cooperation between the two countries at all levels in the light of the deep-rooted historical ties and the distinguished relations between the two countries, governments and peoples," said the presidential statement.

The meeting was attended by Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel, his Sudanese counterpart Salah Gosh and Sudanese Ambassador to Egypt Abdel-Mahmoud Abdel-Halim.

On Feb. 22, Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir declared a nationwide state of emergency and dissolved the government, in an effort to contain weeks of protests against his three-decade-long rule.

He also called on the parliament to delay considering proposed constitutional amendments that would allow him to run for more presidential terms.

A day later, he appointed the country's defense minister Auf as his first vice president.