UAE Says Sisi Represents ‘New Hope’ for Egypt

A UAE minister said the election of former army chief Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi as Egypt’s president represented “new hope” for the most populous Arab country.

According to Fars news Agency, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash said, “The wealthy UAE is one of the main supporters of the government in Egypt and has showered it with aid since its military ousted elected Islamist President Mohammed Mursi last year.”

The minister added, “We all need to support Egypt as a nation and its people … Egypt and its people are dear to us.”

Al-Sisi won a landslide victory in a presidential election on Thursday. His country is suffering from corruption, high unemployment and a widening budget deficit.

Gargash also added, “The challenges are great and the expectations are huge, but the moment that we see today is the most hope-filled for three years.”