Egypt, US top diplomats discuss strategic ties, regional issues

CAIRO - Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry received on Tuesday a phone call from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, during which they discussed means to advance bilateral relations and exchanged views on issues of mutual concern, said the Egyptian Foreign Ministry in a statement.

"Shoukry affirmed the strategic ties binding Egypt and the United States, looking forward to enhancing their prospects in a manner that would serve the two countries' interests," said the statement.

The two diplomats also discussed the latest developments in Libya as well as the Palestinian cause, asserting the need to continue joint work to combat terrorism and address other challenges and threats facing the region.

The phone talks came a day after Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi met with head of the U.S. Central Command Kenneth McKenzie in Cairo, where they discussed ways to strengthen military and security cooperation.

Cairo has been a key regional ally of Washington for decades.

Egypt has been receiving military and economic aid from the United States, amounting to 1.5 billion US dollars annually, since it signed the US-sponsored peace treaty with Israel in 1979.