Defense Minister Brownie J. Samukai Jr. has thanked the Egyptian Government and people for the invaluable support to the Liberian Defense sector over the years and making available several scholarships to the sector at a time when capacity enhancement remains critical to the branding of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) as a “Force for Good”. Minister Samukai, according to a Defense Ministry release, described the relations between the Egyptian Defense sector and Liberia’s as one that transcends bilateral relations. He welcomed the two-man Egyptian delegation to his office stressing that the defense sector of both countries strive for the common security interests of the African continent through friendly exchanges.Samukai added: “The AFL and the entire defense sector are very pleased with the offers that Egypt has made and will take full advantage of them to benefit our soldiers and other personnel.”Minister Samukai made the remarks last Friday when Egyptian Assistant Foreign Minister for African Affairs and Special Egyptian Envoy, Ambassador Mohamed Edrees, leading the two-man delegation, paid a courtesy call on the Minister at his Barclay Training Center office in Monrovia. Ambassador Edrees was accompanied by Egyptian Ambassador to Liberia Alaa Khaira Issa.Minister Samukai and the special Egyptian Envoy held discussions on capacity building, the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) transition, and regional and continental security concerns. They also dialogued on charting a partnership course in the field of medicine between both militaries and utilizing technical skills and capacities that Egypt has placed at the disposal of the AFL during UNMIL’s transition.Ambassador Edrees lauded Minister Samukai and the High Command of the AFL for demonstrating the high level of leadership since the AFL was reconstructed as part of Liberia’s peace process that ended the 14 long years of civil crisis. He said he was optimistic that his discussions with Minister Samukai would further strengthen the continuing cooperation in the military and security field, which is an important aspect of Egypt and Liberia’s bilateral relations. “The visit is coming in the context of assessing our support and our solidarity with our brothers and sisters here in Liberia as demonstrated by our keeping the Egyptian embassy continually open dating from 1957,” said Ambassador Edrees.Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)