US President Donald Trump backed his 'favourite' dictator, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, amid the protests back in the Middle Eastern country. 

Meeting on the sidelines of the UNGA in New York, Trump said, “Everybody has demonstrations,” and went on to add, "No, I'm not concerned with it. Egypt has a great leader." When Sisi was asked about the demonstrations, the President of Egypt pinned it on "political Islam."

The President of Egypt who came to power in a 2013 coup, has his own record of stifling human rights. Abdel Fattah Al Sisi has reportedly arrested over 60,000 people from the LGBTQIA+ community, atheists and political opponents. The President of Egypt also allegedly won the re-election through an unfair means, was congratulated by Trump for winning 97% of votes last year. 

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Protest in Egypt ask President to step down

Rare anti-government protests broke out in several Egyptian cities late on Friday calling on President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi to step down. The small street demonstrations were quickly dispersed by riot police using batons and tear gas.

Dozens of people were arrested, including at least two journalists, according to the Egyptian Center for Economic and Social Rights. No casualties were reported. El-Sissi is a former army general who’s overseen an unprecedented political crackdown, silencing critics and jailing thousands.

El-Sissi and government officials have argued that the military is the only institution that can efficiently lead mega-projects aimed at stoking the economy. The president has repeatedly warned that protests risk causing chaos that would disrupt efforts at repairing the country.

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Trump's favourite dictator 

Donald Trump, at a reception during the G7 Summit, looking for his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah Al Sisi called out, "where's my favourite dictator?" The incident reported by the Wall Street Journal stated that while the eye witness to the account said that the US President made the comment humorously, however, was met with a 'stunned silence.'

Trump's fondness for dictators has been a known affair considering his affability with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, China President Xi Jinping amongst others. 

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