Clinton to visit Israel, Egypt
US secretary of state to become first top American official to meet with newly elected Islamist president; visit to be followed by stop in Jerusalem
Yitzhak Benhorin
WASHINGTON – US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will travel to Egypt in 10 days time, to express the United States’ support for Egypt’s democratic transition.
Clinton is expected to arrive in Egypt on July 15, for a two-day visit. According to the State Department, she will follow her stop in Cairo with one in Jerusalem, on July 16-17.
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Clinton will be „Meeting with the Israeli leadership to discuss peace efforts and a range of regional and bilateral issues of mutual concern,” the statement said.
While in Egypt, Clinton will meet with Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi, thus becoming the first American diplomat to meet with the Muslim Brotherhood’s newly-elected president.
„Clinton will meet with senior government officials, civil society, and business leaders, and inaugurate the US Consulate General in Alexandria,” the State Department said.
As it happens, Clinton’s visit will precedes Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney‘s visit to Israel.
Following her stop in the Middle East, Clinton will continue to Laos; becoming first US chief diplomat to visit communist-run Laos in 57 years.
AFP contributed to this report
