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Middle East and North Africa

Cairo authorities thank U.S. for efforts to sooth tensions in Egypt

First Deputy Prime Minister Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Tuesday held a telephone conversation with Pentagon head Chuck Hagel

Photo EPA/ITAR-TASS

Photo EPA/ITAR-TASS

CAIRO, August 7 (Itar-Tass) - First Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Military Industry of the interim government in Cairo Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Tuesday held a telephone conversation with Pentagon head Chuck Hagel and thanked him for Washington’s efforts aimed at defusing tensions in Egypt, spokesman for the US Department of Defense George Little reported.

According to him, al-Sisi called Hagel to inform him of the developments in Egypt.

The parties discussed progress achieved thanks to the EU and US mediation efforts that are aimed at overcoming the severe political crisis in Egypt, Little noted. The day before, he specified that this process is led by US Deputy Secretary of State William Burns and EU Special Representative for the Southern Mediterranean Region Bernardino Leon.

In this connection, he said, al-Sisi “underscored his desire for peaceful resolution of the ongoing protests (in Egypt with the participation of supporters of the association Muslim Brotherhood) and reiterated commitment to an inclusive, transparent political roadmap as announced by the interim civilian government” that was formed after the country’s armed forces a month ago ousted Egypt’s Islamic President Mohamed Morsi.

Finally, he “thanked Secretary Hagel for US support and ongoing diplomatic efforts to prevent further violence, calm tensions, and facilitate an inclusive dialogue to pave the way forward for transition to a democratically elected civilian government. Secretary Hagel underscored the importance of an inclusive, transparent political process that includes all Egyptians,” Little said.

In the interview made public by The Washington Post online version on Saturday, al-Sisi did not rule out the nomination of his candidature for the upcoming presidential elections in Egypt. Al-Sisi also said that Hagel calls him almost every day.

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