Mattis to meet Sisi over counterterrorism cooperation

CAIRO - 2 December 2017: U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said on Saturday that counterterrorism cooperation with Egypt is growing, and the U.S. remains committed to strong ties with Cairo, according to Voanews website.

Mattis issued the statement on his way to the Egyptian capital, the first stop on a four-nation tour that will also take him to Jordan, Kuwait and Pakistan.

Voanews reported that, “The trip comes as the U.S. military shifts its focus in the Middle East, after having driven out the Islamic State militant group from its self-declared caliphate in Iraq and Syria.”

Mattis will hold a morning of bilateral meetings in Cairo with President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Defense Minister Sedki Sobhi.

Last week, Egypt suffered what officials have named as the deadliest terror attack in the modern history of the country, when 25-30 militants carrying Islamic State (IS) flags left more than 311 worshippers at a mosque.

Mattis said he will deliver his condolences for the attack.
“We are working closely with Egypt on how they can best defeat this common threat,” Mattis said, adding that U.S. – Egypt counter-terror cooperation has grown during his time as Chief of Defense.