Assistant US secretary of state to visit Egypt Saturday on Middle East trip

CAIRO – 16 March 2023: Assistant US Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Barbara Leaf will make an official visit to Egypt from Saturday to Monday 18-20 March as part of a Middle East trip that started yesterday.

Leaf’s visit, which extends from 15 to 25 March, has started with Jordan and will also include Lebanon and Tunisia after Egypt, according to the US Department of State.

During her visit to Egypt, Leaf will hold meetings with senior officials to discuss Egypt-US bilateral priorities and cooperation on regional issues, the Department said.

Leaf will also discuss US shared commitment with Amman to regional stability, prosperity, and security during her visit to Jordan.

In Tunisia from 20 to 23 March, Leaf will “reaffirm US support for the Tunisian people and their aspirations for democratic and accountable governance, consult about crucial economic reforms, and underscore support for the work of our diplomats in our respective capitals,” the Department said.

The assistant secretary will also affirm US support for the elections in Libya during Tunisia visit.

During her last stop in Lebanon, Leaf will highlight to the Lebanese officials the “urgent need” to hold presidential elections and form a government.

Leaf will also urge officials to implement “critical economic reforms to set Lebanon on the path to stability and prosperity,” the US Department added.

Leaf’s visit comes less than two months after a Middle East trip by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, which included Egypt, Israel, and the West Bank in a bid to end a surge in deadly Israeli-Palestinian violence.