US secretary of state meets Egypt counterpart in Cairo

CAIRO

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Thursday met with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry in Cairo, with whom he discussed recent developments in Palestine, Libya, Syria and Yemen, Egypt’s official news Agency (MENA) reported.

The two men also discussed bilateral relations “in different domains”, according to MENA.

Pompeo and Shoukry are expected to hold a joint press conference later Thursday.

Pompeo’s visit to Egypt is the third leg of a Middle East tour that will also bring Washington’s top diplomat to the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Oman and Kuwait.

Earlier this week, the U.S. secretary of state made stops in Jordan and Iraq, where he spoke to officials of both countries.

Pompeo’s regional tour is aimed at reassuring Washington’s Middle East allies of continued U.S. support following U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent decision to withdraw troops from Syria.