Sisi says Netanyahu once asked why Egypt was arming itself, told him Egyptian strength is not a threat to Israel

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi said Thursday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had once asked him why Egypt was expanding its military capabilities.

Sisi said he told Netanyahu that Egypt had never viewed Israel's military strength as a threat and that Israel should similarly understand that Egypt's strength was not directed against it.

"We live in a turbulent region, and we need to be strong to preserve the peace we enjoy, not only with Israel, but with the entire region," Sisi said.

He added that Egypt has no territorial ambitions or hidden agenda against Israel and said Cairo's military strength was intended to protect national security and regional stability.

Sisi also said that since 2014 he had repeatedly told Netanyahu that establishing a Palestinian state would bring genuine stability and allow Israel to become more fully integrated into the region. "He was not convinced," Sisi said.

Separately, Sisi said Egypt would never allow Saudi Arabia's borders to be violated and described Saudi and Gulf security as inseparable from Egypt's own national security.