Trump seeks to strengthen US-Egyptian ties

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - President Donald Trump on Monday discussed "ways to deepen" the U.S.-Egyptian relationship with the leader of Egypt, the White House said.

During a telephone call with Abdel Fatah al-Sisi, the leaders discussed ways to bolster Washington's support for "Egypt's fight against terrorists" and its economic programs.

"The president committed to continuing military assistance to Egypt and working with Egypt to ensure that assistance most effectively supports the Egyptian military's fight against terrorism," White House spokesman Sean Spicer told reporters.

Trump commended Sisi "for his courageous steps to address Egypt's economic challenges and offered to discuss ways the United States could support Egypt's economic reform program", Spicer said.

The two leaders also discussed a possible visit by Sisi to Washington, Spicer said without elaborating.

Egypt has been rocked by violence following the violent ouster of former President Mohamed Morsi in 2013.

Since Morsi's ouster, hundreds of Egyptian security personnel deployed in the restive Sinai Peninsula have been killed amid an ongoing insurgency.

On Sunday, five soldiers were killed in a militant attack in the Sinai.

Egypt’s army-backed authorities say they are battling the Welayat Sinai, or Province of Sinai, group -- Daesh's Egypt-based branch.