WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., today questioned General Martin Dempsey, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, during a confirmation hearing in the Senate Armed Services Committee about the importance of maintaining America’s commitment to Egypt under the Camp David Accords.

“I firmly believe one of the primary reasons there has not been far more bloodshed and suffering during the latest Egyptian transition is because of the support the United States has provided through foreign military sales and military-to-military cooperation,” Wicker said. “Some have called for an end to these programs. I strongly disagree. I believe cutting off assistance will dramatically reduce our influence in that part of the world.”

In a line of questioning focused on U.S. foreign policy in Egypt, General Dempsey agreed with Senator Wicker that the United States should continue to maintain and strengthen the U.S.-Egyptian military relationship. General Dempsey also concluded that weapons and equipment provided to the Egyptian military by the United States have not been used to endanger U.S. military or civilian personnel.

“I believe the Egyptian military has acted with great professionalism and restraint throughout the years of difficult transition since the 2011 ouster of Hosni Mubarak,” Wicker continued. “I think it is easy to argue that, without the competent capability of the Egyptian military, the situation there may very well have looked like what we are seeing now in Syria.”

This year marks the 35th anniversary of the Camp David Accords. Under the agreement, the United States committed to support the Egyptian military. The pact has played an instrumental role in keeping peace between Israel and Egypt since 1978.