Egypt's President Abdel Fattah El-sisi and U.S President Donald Trump in the White House last (Photo:Reuters)
Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi spoke by phone with US President Donald Trump on Sunday following the twin cathedral bombings in Tanta and Alexandria, with Trump calling to express his support for Egypt in the wake of the attacks, according to the Egyptian president's office.
According to the official statement, President Trump expressed his nation's condemnation of the terrorist attacks, which killed at least 40 Egyptians and injured over 100.
El-Sisi, meanwhile, expressed his appreciation for the American president’s condolences, stressing that recent events would not stop Egypt from fighting terrorism.
El-Sisi also asserted the importance of global efforts to battle terrorism, stressing the need to oppose those who back terrorist organizations with weapons and fighters.
Trump had earlier expressed his support for Egypt and El-Sisi through his official Twitter account.
“I have great confidence that President El-Sisi will handle the situation properly,” he said.
The Egyptian president also received a telephone call from King Salman of Saudi Arabia, who expressed his condolences and support to the Egyptian people.
On Palm Sunday, a suspected suicide attack in Tanta’s St. George Cathedral killed at least 27 people and injured over 71 others.
A few hours after the Tanta attack, 17 civilians and police officers were killed as a suicide bomber blew himself up outside St. Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral, as the head of the church, Pope Tawadros II, led the service inside.
The Islamic State militant group has claimed responsibility for both attacks. The General Prosecution is conducting investigations to determine the identities of the attackers.
Correction: death toll in Alexandria was revised to 17 instead of 18 following official confirmation
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