Egypt’s El-Sisi To Visit US For The First Time In September

Egypt’s President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi is to visit the US in September to participate in the 69th United Nations General Assembly, according to a press release from the Egyptian presidency, Reuters’ Aswat Masriya reported.

The session is scheduled to take place at the UN headquarters in New York City.

This visit will be El-Sisi’s first to the US since he became Egypt’s president in June.

Relations between the US and Egypt have wavered since the ouster of president Mohamed Morsi last summer, as US officials have expressed concern over a prolonged crackdown against the Muslim Brotherhood leader’s supporters and Islamist sympathisers.

In October of last year, Washington withheld from the Egyptian government deliveries of tanks, fighter aircraft, helicopters and missiles as well as $260 million in cash aid, pending progress in democracy and human rights.

Egypt’s Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahlab visited Washington earlier this month to attend a summit of African leaders.

Egypt has been among the largest beneficiaries of US military and economic aid for decades pursuant to a 1979 peace treaty with Washington’s close ally Israel.

Source : Ahram online