Egypt Withdraws From U.S. Effort To Form An 'Arab Nato'

U.S. President Donald Trump welcomes Egypt's President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi to the White House in Washington, U.S., April 9, 2019REUTERS/Carlos Barria

Reuters: Egypt Pulls Out of U.S. Effort to Forge anti-Iran 'Arab NATO'

A major blow to the Trump administration's strategy to contain Iranian power

RIYADH/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Egypt has pulled out of the U.S. effort to forge an “Arab NATO” with key Arab allies, according to four sources familiar with the decision, in a blow to the Trump administration’s strategy to contain Iranian power.

Egypt conveyed its decision to the United States and other participants in the proposed Middle East Strategic Alliance, or MESA, ahead of a meeting held Sunday in Riyadh, the Saudi capital, one source said.

Cairo did not send a delegation to the meeting, the latest gathering held to advance the U.S.-led effort to bind Sunni Muslim Arab allies into a security, political and economic pact to counter Shi’ite Iran, the source said.

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WNU Editor: This announcement is happening a day after Egyptian President Al Sisi met President Trump at the White House. I guess the U.S. was not willing to accommodate Egypt's conditions for joining such a group. As for Iran, this is a huge win .... Iran welcomes Egypt's reported withdrawal from 'Arab NATO' plan (Al Jazeera).

More News On Egypt Withdrawing From The U.S. Effort To Form An 'Arab Nato'

Egypt pulls out of US-led effort to form 'Arab NATO': report -- The Hill
Egypt withdraws from efforts to form 'Arab NATO' -- Jerusalem Post
Egypt withdraws from Trump’s ‘Arab NATO’ group -- AMN
Is Trump's Anti-Iran Arab Coalition Falling Apart? Egypt Reportedly Withdraws from 'Arab NATO' -- Jason Lemon, Newsweek