Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi told an advisor of US President Donald Trump on Tuesday that he looks forwad to a "fresh start" of Egyptian-US ties following "fruitful" talks in Washington with the US president a day earlier. During talks on Tuesday with US General Herbert Raymond McMaster, Trump's national security adviser, El-Sisi said that security and military cooperation between Cairo and Washington is an "important pillar of relations between the two countries," a statement by El-Sisi's office said. The two leaders said they are eager to boost strategic ties and security and military cooperation, mainly in the fight against terrorism. The statement quoted General McMaster as saying that he looks for "intensified coordination with Egypt in combating challenges in the Middle East and means to reach solutions that help restore stability in the region." Tuesday's meeting is part of El-Sisi's multi-day visit to the US capital, the first such visit by an Egyptian president in eight years. The last time an Egyptian leader visited the White House was in August 2009, when then-president Hosni Mubarak met with Barack Obama in the Oval Office. During his meeting with El-Sisi on Monday, Trump vowed to provide Egypt with firm backing and cooperation in the fight against terrorism. Trump gave El-Sisi a warm welcome at the Oval Office, lavishing him with praise and moving to mend relations strained under the administration of his predecessor Barack Obama. He said El-Sisi is doing a "fantastic job" in Egypt.
