Carter meets al-Azhar Grand Sheikh, Meshaal

Former US president Jimmy Carter on Thursday met the leader of Egypt's prestigious al-Azhar University, Grand Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayeb, at the educational institute's headquarters to discuss the latest developments in Egypt. The two reportedly discussed the electoral process, while al-Tayeb spoke about al-Azhar’s role in educating citizens about the vote and encouraging them to participate in the elections. Carter will also meet Khaled Meshaal, the head of the political bureau of Palestine's Hamas movement; the first meeting Meshaal has held with a major US official since he shifted base from Damascus to Doha. Meshaal will discuss a number of issues with Carter, most prominently that of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, as well as the reconciliation deal between Fatah and Hamas.