Kerry, Gen. al-Sisi discuss 'necessity of boosting strategic ties'

US Secretary of State John Kerry held talks on Sunday with Egyptian First Deputy Premier and Minister of Defense General Abdulfattah Al-Sisi addressing "necessity of boosting strategic relations" between Cairo and Washington, according to Egypt Television. Egypt TV said the discussions between the two sides, held at conclusion of Kerry's brief visit to the nation, dealt with bilateral ties bounding Cairo with Washington "and emphasis on strategic nature of the Egyptian-US relations as well as necessity of boosting these ties." The meeting was attended by Egypt's Army Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Sedki Sobhi, senior military officers, and the US Charge D'affaires in Cairo. Kerry departed Cairo tonight ending his short visit during which he held talks with Interim President Adly Mansour and his local counterpart, Nabil Fahmy, affirming the good ties between the two countries. His visit was the first since the June events and came one day ahead of prosecution of the ousted president, Mohamed Morsi, however Cairo denied any linkage between the two occurrences.