Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi met Saturday with a US congressional delegation, headed by the House of Representatives Majority Whip Steve Scalise. As part of the meeting, Al-Sisi invited the delegation to take part in observing the upcoming parliamentary elections. Al-Sisi said the latest local developments and preparations for the elections, set to commence on 17 October, are to "complete the last pillar of the roadmap and to build a state of institutions capable of meeting the aspirations of the Egyptian people, especially the youth, for a new reality and better future for the upcoming generations", according to a statement from the presidency. The meeting, which was also attended by Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and US Ambassador to Egypt Stephen Beecroft, also tackled the developments in bilateral relations between the two countries. This comes especially following the Strategic Dialogue held in Cairo in August, and other regional developments, including countering terrorism and the refugee crisis. The last meeting between Al-Sisi and a congressional delegation was in May, with a delegation headed by Chairman of the US House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, Devin Nunes. During the meeting, Al-Sisi and the delegation discussed US aid to Egypt, and the situation in the Middle East. Nunes said he was pleased with the release of military aid to Egypt, according to an Egyptian Foreign Ministry statement. He added that a substantial number of US Congress members show a greater understanding of Egypt's point-of-view, and are interested in enhancing strategic relations with the country. He also said that they are looking to assist Egypt in overcoming the challenges it faces, as well as enhancing cooperation to achieve peace and stability in the Middle East.
