Obama congratulates Cairo’s new leader

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi signs a handover of power document, transferring the presidency to him from interim leader Adly Mansour in the presence of dozens of local and foreign dignitaries at the presidential palace in Cairo. File picture: MENA/AP

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi signs a handover of power document, transferring the presidency to him from interim leader Adly Mansour in the presence of dozens of local and foreign dignitaries at the presidential palace in Cairo. File picture: MENA/AP

Published Jun 11, 2014

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Washington - United States President Barack Obama called new Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Tuesday and affirmed his commitment to a US-Egyptian strategic partnership, the White House said.

Sisi was sworn in on Sunday, almost a year after toppling elected president Mohamed Morsi, an ousting that Obama resisted calling a coup because it would have prompted Washington to cut off assistance to Egypt.

The White House said Obama called Sisi to congratulate him on his inauguration and “to convey his commitment to working together to advance the shared interests of both countries”.

“The president reiterated the United States' continuing support for the political, economic and social aspirations of the Egyptian people, and respect for their universal rights,” the White House said. - Reuters

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