PHL congratulates Egypt on peaceful polls

The Philippines over the weekend congratulated Egypt over the peaceful presidential elections there, saying this shows the country is moving toward peace and stability.

Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, in a statement, noted the presidential election is part of Egypt’s road map to democracy.

"We welcome the peaceful conduct and outcome of the presidential elections in Egypt as these signify that the country is moving towards peace and stability for the benefit of the Egyptian people and the whole Middle East and North Africa," he said.

"The Philippines looks forward to continued close cooperation with Egypt under the leadership of newly-elected President former Field Marshall Abdel Fattah El-Sisi," he added.

A report on US-based Jewish website Algemeiner.com said El-Sisi won nearly 97 percent of the vote.

Del Rosario also pointed out Egypt has been a "steadfast friend of the Philippines at the bilateral and multilateral levels."

"It has been supportive of the peace process in Mindanao, including the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro between the Philippine Government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF)," he said.

Del Rosario had visited Egypt last May 18, where he met Foreign Minister Nabil Fahmy and outgoing President Adly Mahmoud Mansour.

The Philippines and Egypt pledged to pursue greater cooperation during del Rosario's visit. — Joel Locsin /LBG, GMA News