Sobhy, Mattis discuss U.S.-Egyptian military co-op

CAIRO – 19 October 2017: Defense Minister Gen. Sedki Sobhy discussed U.S.-Egyptian cooperation to ensure stability in the Middle East with U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis during a telephone conversation on Thursday, a press statement from the U.S. Department of Defense said.

During the conversation, the two ministers emphasized the importance of cooperation between the two countries as Mattis underlined the value the United States places in its bilateral relationship with Egypt.

According to the statement, Mattis highlighted Egypt’s critical role in regional leadership; he also expressed his deep commitment to advancing the U.S.-Egyptian defense partnership, particularly in the shared fight against terrorism.

Moreover, Mattis offered his condolences for the Egyptian soldiers who lost their lives during the militant attacks on military outposts on October 15.

On April 20, Mattis arrived in Cairo as he met with Egyptian officials with an aim to continue boosting bilateral relations and discuss U.S. support for Egypt’s counter-terrorism efforts.