Corbyn warns against 'red carpet treatment for coup leader' as Egyptian president visits UK

Mr Corbyn said the government's invitation to the Egyptian president showed 'contempt' for human rights Credit: PA

Jeremy Corbyn has criticised the government's welcome to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, calling him a "coup leader" and saying the prime minister should not be "rolling out the red carpet" for him.

The Egyptian president is in the UK this week, his first visit to the UK since he took office, and will meet David Cameron in Downing Street.

Mr Al-Sisi seized power in Egypt in 2013 at the head of a military coup Credit: Reuters

"David Cameron's invitation to Britain today of the Egyptian president and coup leader Abdel Fatah al-Sisi shows contempt for human and democratic rights and threatens, rather than protects, Britain's national security," Mr Corbyn said.

"Support for dictatorial regimes in the Middle East has been a key factor fuelling the spread of terrorism.

"Rather than rolling out the red carpet to President Sisi, the prime minister should suspend arms exports to Egypt until democratic and civil rights are restored."

David Cameron is to hold a meeting with the Egyptian president Credit: PA

Mr Al-Sisi seized power in Egypt in 2013 at the head of a military coup, deposing Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood-linked but elected president Mohamed Morsi.

Since he took power more than 1,000 people have been killed and 40,000 are thought to have been jailed in a security crackdown.

The government has defended its decision to invite Mr Al-Sisi, arguing Egypt is of strategic importance in the Middle East.

During a heated discussion in the House of Lords earlier, the Earl of Courtown said Egypt was "key" to the UK's national interest in countering extremism and combating Isis.