Panetta called Egyptian to reaffirm defense ties

[September 15, 2012]  WASHINGTON (AP) -- Two days after President Barack Obama called Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi to express dissatisfaction with reaction to the embassy attack in Cairo, the U.S. defense chief has called his Egyptian counterpart to reaffirm the defense relationship as a cornerstone of the U.S.-Egypt "strategic partnership."

Pentagon press secretary George Little says Defense Secretary Leon Panetta also underscored the importance of ensuring the security of the U.S. diplomatic mission in Egypt.

Little says Egyptian Defense Minister Abdel Fattah al-Sisi reassured Panetta that Egypt remains committed to the defense relationship, one of the most important for the U.S. in the Middle East. Little says the Egyptian defense minister also reiterated his country's commitment to the security of American diplomatic personnel and property.

The U.S. does not have a defense treaty with Egypt.

[Associated Press]

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