Clinton Meets with Tantawi

Posted July 15th, 2012 at 6:50 am (UTC-5)
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U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met Sunday in Cairo with Egypt's top military commander Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi, a day after holding talks with newly-inaugurated President Mohamed Morsi.

Clinton and Field Marshal Tantawi, who was the country's interim leader after the ouster of President Hosni Mubarak, discussed an extensive range of topics, including the north African country's political transition, the importance of protecting the rights of all Egyptians, and regional stability.

Clinton is set to hold talks separately with Egypt's Christian leaders and women leaders before travelling to Alexandria to participate in a flag-raising ceremony at the U.S. consulate.

Later Sunday, Clinton departs for Israel.

On Saturday, the top U.S. diplomat reaffirmed U.S. support for Egypt's political transition. Clinton said the United States wants to be helpful, but “it is for the Egyptian people to decide” how the transition plays out.

Clinton also announced a $60-million enterprise fund for small and medium-sized businesses and $250 million in private-sector loan guarantees.