JEDDAH: Egypt's Foreign Minister has protested remarks by Iyad Madani, chief of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, for mocking Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sissi.
Sameh Shukry warned Madani on Saturday that Egypt will be "reviewing its position toward the secretariat of the organization."
Earlier, Madani mistakenly confused the Tunisian president's name with that of Egypt's President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, then told Essebsi, "I am sure your fridge has more than water."
He was mocking El-Sisi who claimed in a conference that for a decade his fridge had nothing but water, in a message to Egyptians to bear harsh economic conditions.
In a statement to Arab News on Saturday, Madani said his remarks at the education ministers’ conference in Tunis "were only based on a sense of humor and were by no means intended to be offensive to the Egyptian leadership represented by President El-Sisi," whom Madani holds “in utmost respect and appreciation as a great Arab leader of a great Arab country, which occupies an important position in the hearts of all Arabs and Muslims, and a great nation with a remarkable history and civilization.”
He offered apologies for the misunderstanding his statement created.
Madani pointed out that Egypt's presidency of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in the previous period has allowed him the opportunity to meet President Sisi several times where he listened to his vision on the promotion of joint Islamic action and Islamic solidarity.
Commending the transparent dialogue the Egyptian leader had with the Egyptian youth, Madani said this kind of interaction between a leader and his people represents a unique approach to discuss issues that concern the youth, who are the future leaders of their country.
He added that El-Sisi's vision in that regard is consistent with the organization's plans to put youth issues on the priority of its agenda.
Egypt furious over OIC chief’s ‘jibe’ at El-Sisi, Madani calls it ‘sense of humor’
Egypt furious over OIC chief’s ‘jibe’ at El-Sisi, Madani calls it ‘sense of humor’
