Mattis stresses U.S.’ support for Egypt’s anti-terror war

CAIRO – 2 December 2017: Egyptian Defense Minister Sedki Sobhi discussed Saturday counterterrorism cooperation with his U.S. counterpart Jim Mattis and the accompanying American delegation at the Defense Ministry’s headquarter in Cairo.

The two defense ministers discussed the latest developments in the regional and international arenas during the meeting. They also managed to coordinate on common challenges facing the two countries, topped by the war on terror.

They also tackled ways of achieving security and stability in the region, in addition to issues related to joint military drills and the exchange of expertise in a number of fields.
Sobhi expressed his appreciation for the deep-rooted Egyptian-U.S. relations and the strategic cooperation between both countries' militaries.

He also expressed the importance of bolstering military cooperation in the fight against terrorism and extremism which poses a threat to the Middle East and the world.
On his part, Mattis underlined his country's keenness on boosting cooperation with Egypt to achieve peace and stability in the region.

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.”

During the trip, Mattis will hold a morning of bilateral meetings in Cairo with President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi in which he will deliver his condolences for Al-Rawdah attack.