13/02/2014 15:46
Egyptian leader El-Sisi meets Putin on first foreign trip
The military leader of Egypt met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday, marking his first foreign trip as Cairo media reports an imminent major arms deal, RIA Novosti reported.
Marshal Abdel Fattah el-Sisi’s visit to Moscow points to a potential pivot toward Russia by Egypt – traditionally a stalwart US ally – that could dramatically reorient international relations in the Middle East.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said talks with el-Sisi had served to cement plans to strengthen military ties.
El-Sisi has taken a firm grip over the country since the ouster of Islamist former President Mohammed Morsi in July.
The often violent crackdown unleashed by the el-Sisi government has provoked a cooling in relations with Washington, which announced in October that it would slash longstanding military aid to Cairo. According to US officials, aid cuts included halting shipments of F-16 fighter jets, Apache helicopters, M1A1 tanks and advanced anti-ship missiles.
Egypt’s government-controlled Al-Ahram newspaper reported Wednesday, citing unnamed defense officials, the purpose of el-Sisi’s visit was to finalize an arms deal worth up to $4 billion that was originally proposed during a November meeting with Russian officials in Cairo.