US and Egypt Discuss Strengthening Bilateral Relations

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken held a meeting with his Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty in Cairo on Wednesday during his 10th trip to the Middle East since the war in Gaza began nearly a year ago.

During the talks, Blinken said "President Biden, Vice President Harris are committed to deepening, strengthening what is already a vitally important partnership for us, the partnership between our two countries."

Abdelatty said "we have to work more and more and enhance our cooperation in everything."

Blinken's latest visit to the region is partly focused at refining a proposal to present to Israel and Hamas for a cease-fire deal and release of hostages.

Unlike in recent mediating missions, America's top diplomat this time is traveling without optimistic projections from the Biden administration of an expected breakthrough in the troubled negotiations.

Also unlike the earlier missions, Blinken has no public plans to go to Israel to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on this trip.