LOC10:02
07:02 GMT
WASHINGTON, April 14 (KUNA) -- The United States and Egypt have re-affirmed their joint desire to maintain close relations.
This came during a telephone contact between U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel with Egyptآ’s new Defense Minister, Colonel General Sedki Sobhy, late on Sunday, according to a statement by the Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby.
Both leaders "reaffirmed their commitment to strong U.S.-Egyptian relations," Kirby noted, indicating that the talks dealt with a range of security issues.
This was their first conversation in which Hagel "congratulated General Sobhy on his promotion and expressed his desire to maintain close contact as the general settles into his duties."
During the 20 minute call the two leaders "discussed a range of regional security issues, to include the ongoing threat of terrorist networks, as well as the importance of free and fair elections for Egypt's political transition." (end)
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