Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has stressed that the Gulf’s security is a red line and rejected meddling in the region’s affairs. “The security of the Gulf is the security of Egypt and the security of Egypt is the security of the Gulf,” Sisi stated on Wednesday in a meeting with a group of Egyptian and foreign journalists on the sidelines of the World Youth Forum held in Sharm el-Sheikh. Responding to a question on tense ties with Iran, Sisi called for the cooling of tensions in the region, “but not at the expense of the security and stability of the Gulf.” He said the situation in Saudi Arabia is stable and reassuring, adding that he has confidence in the leadership of the Kingdom and its ability to administrate wisely and decisively. As for Qatar, Sisi asserted that Egypts position is clear and it will not change until Qatar fulfills the demands of the Arab quartet. The Egyptian president pledged to back every procedure that empowers women, during the third day of WYF in a session about the role of women in decision-making circles. “Empowering women doesn’t depend on the political will only but the community’s culture as well. If societys culture rejects or blocks the role of women, then the political will alone can’t change a thing,” said Sisi. Females represent 48.4 percent of Egypt’s total population (104 million), according to the last census in October. In the beginning of 2007, Sisi dedicated this year to Egyptian women. One of the attendees asked the president whether there will be a greater participation of women in leading positions and ministries, so he joked saying: “What is it? Do you want a female prime minister?” Minister of Investment and International Cooperation Sahar Nasr stated that the new investment law stipulated a term on equality between men and women in investment opportunities, adding that economic empowerment of women represents one of the pillars of Empowerment of Egyptian Women 2030 Vision.