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After touchdown, Austin held talks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi and different high-ranking officers.
In response to a press release issued by Egypt’s presidential spokesperson, el-Sissi and Austin mentioned varied points, together with navy cooperation and surging violence within the Palestinian territories. Few additional particulars concerning the assembly got.
Austin was anticipated to depart Cairo for Israel later Wednesday. His earlier stops on the tour included Jordan and Iraq. He was in Baghdad on Tuesday on an unannounced go to, days earlier than the twentieth anniversary of the U.S.-led invasion that ousted Saddam Hussein.
Egypt is likely one of the largest recipients within the Mideast of American financial and navy assist and an abiding U.S. ally within the area. However in recent times, U.S. lawmakers have sought to situation that assist on human rights enhancements and reforms.
Since coming to energy in 2013, el-Sissi’s authorities has overseen a wide-ranging crackdown on dissent, jailing hundreds. Officers have focused not solely Islamist political opponents but in addition pro-democracy activists, journalists and on-line critics.
‘’The U.S.-Egypt protection partnership is an important pillar of our dedication to this area,’’ Austin posted on Twitter. ‘’I’m right here to strengthen our coordination on key points and to pursue alternatives to deepen our long-standing bilateral partnership with Egypt.’’
Egypt has additionally performed a key position in brokering quite a few cease-fire agreements between Israeli and Palestinian leaders over current years. Austin’s journey comes as violence has surged throughout the occupied West Financial institution to its highest ranges in years. Austin was anticipated to satisfy with Israeli officers on Thursday.
Each the US and Egypt are additionally at the moment engaged in cross-party talks in search of to finish enduring political crises in neighboring Libya and Sudan.
