Day: August 19, 2024

President Biden spoke today with President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi of Egypt to address their efforts to de-escalate regional tensions, including through an immediate ceasefire and hostage release deal. President Biden thanked President El-Sisi for his determined leadership in the facilitation of negotiations that have now reached a final stage. President Biden and President El-Sisi agreed on the urgency of bringing the process to closure as soon as possible. Both leaders and their teams agreed to remain in close coordination over the coming days. ### Official news published at https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/08/06/readout-of-president-bidens-call-with-president-abdel-fattah-el-sisi-of-egypt/

SECRETARY BLINKEN:  Thank you so much.  To my friend and colleague, Vivian, thank you for not only the warm hospitality – literally as well as figuratively – but as always, for the I think very thoughtful and I believe fruitful conversations that we’ve had today.  Thoughtful because for us, for me, the wisdom that resides here in Singapore – the insight that our friends have not just about the region, but about the world – has been something that’s been meaningful to me for a long time; in fact, going back to my last tenure in government.  And today was…