Egypt is cooperating with Britain as a partner for security of tourists in the region. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi held a meeting with British Prime Minister David Cameron on Thursday November 5th. Egypt is completely ready to work together with its partners to protect foreign tourists and air travelers. This meeting came after it was determined that a terrorist bomb was the likely cause of the downing of a Russian jetliner over Egypt.
The meeting came after Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said there is a “significant possibility” that Islamic State militants were responsible.
The presentation was organised as the UK and other countries suspended all flights to the region. This would hurt Egypt’s economy so they are interested in making a diplomatic move to increase confidence and trust. However, Egypt’s Tourism Minister Hesham Zaazou said on Thursday that Britain’s decision to suspend flights from the Sinai Peninsula following the Russian plane crash there was unjustified and called for an immediate review.
The meeting also created an opportunity for democratic supporters to protest the government of Egypt. The protestors blame Sisi of renewing dictatorship in Egypt, continuing war on free speech and dealing over a regime in which tens of thousands of his political candidates have been jailed and in which torture, enforced disappearances and rape have been rife.
Department of Homeland Security said on Friday it was tightening security measures for international flights into the U.S. from the Middle East. The Transportation Security Agency is reacting rather than being proactive. It seems they just randomly harass people at the airport thinking it will make our flight safer. What we really need is more international cooperation and power diplomacy in order to stand up to terrorist threats.