Egypt will be an active participant in the Arab-Islamic-American summit in Riyadhnext week, President Abdel Fattah El Sisi revealed in the second installment of his interview with the top editors of state-run newspapers. The Middle East peace process and resolution of the Syrian and Libyan conflicts are likely to top the agenda, according to El Sisi, who believes that US President Donald Trump — who is also expected in Riyadh this weekend — is key to diffusing the tension between the Palestinian and Israeli sides.

With 2018 set to be an election year, El Sisi did not answer directly when asked whetherhe would run for a second term in office, preferring to “cross that bridge when we come to it.” The president added that he hopes to one day see a smooth transfer of power in Egypt to a strong and capable leader elected by popular will.

On the domestic front, El Sisi told the editors that while terrorism continues to be apertinent risk, it no longer poses a threat to Egypt’s stability. His administration, he said, is working hard on the legislative and social fronts to battle fundamentalist ideology and modernize Egypt’s religious discourse. Efforts to develop the educational system and eradicate illiteracy are also ongoing, the president added, explaining that a national literacy campaign is in the works and that his periodical youth conferences will continue to be held to provide a platform for direct communication with the youth population. In the same vein, the state is also working on strategies to curb accelerating population growth, where we’re adding something to the tune of 2.5 mn citizens a year.

The president also stressed that there is no tension between himself and the judiciary over recent amendments to the Judicial Authorities Act.