Cairo: US Central Intelligence Agency director John Brennan held talks with Egyptian President Abdul Fattah Al Sissi during an unannounced visit to Cairo, the president’s office said.
The Sunday evening meeting came amid a quickening rapprochement between the longtime allies after Washington in March lifted a partial freeze on its $1.5 billion (Dh5.5 billion) annual aid to Egypt that it imposed when then-army chief Al Sissi ousted elected president Mohammad Mursi in 2013.
“The meeting underscored the strong ties between Egypt and the USA and the importance of their strategic relationship as well as their commitment to promote relations,” a statement from the president’s office said.
“The two sides agreed to continue consultation and coordination on issues of mutual interest, particularly with regard to areas witnessing conflict in the Middle East and international efforts to eradicate terrorism.”
Egypt has been battling terrorists in the Sinai Peninsula who have pledged allegiance to Daesh which controls swathes of Iraq and Syria.
It has also voiced growing concern about the militant presence in its eastern neighbour Libya where Daesh has exploited a power struggle between rival governments to launch increasingly grisly attacks, most recently the videotaped executions of 30 Ethiopian Christians.
