Putin gives credit to el-Sisi for taking Egypt under control
MOSCOW. Jan 12 (Interfax) - Had the current president of Egypt failed to take the domestic situation in hand, the situation could have evolved according to the Libyan scenario, Russian President Vladimir Putin has said.
"I have to give due credit to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, and I told him this myself, because had he not taken on the responsibility, demonstrated fortitude and brought the country under control, then we might have witnessed the Libyan scenario in Egypt," Putin said in an interview with the German Bild newspaper.
The Russian leader stressed the need to strengthen legitimate governments in the countries in that region.
"That also applies to Syria. Emerging state institutions in Iraq and in Libya must be revived and strengthened. Situations in Somalia and other countries must be stabilised. State authority in Afghanistan must be reinforced. However, it does not mean that everything should be left as is. Indeed, this new stability would underpin political reforms," Putin said.