Democratic changes, economical growth and religious freedoms on agenda for USA foreign minister visit.
USA foreign minister Hillary Rodham Clinton will arrive in Egypt for talks with the country’s new president, Mohamed Morsi, the country’s first ever under free elections.
Clinton’s dialogue with Morsi on Saturday, part of a two-day visit, are anticipated to focus on democratic transition and economic development in Egypt.
Clinton will also assemble with senior government officials, civil society, and business leaders in Cairo, besides the country’s second city Alexandria.
Religious freedoms and minority rights are also on Clinton’s agenda.
The United States has been an long-time friend of Egypt, with $1.5bn of assistance being received by Cairo each year, most of which goes to the military.
Since formally taking office earlier this month, Morsi has been caught in a power conflict with the military council, which dominated the country for around 16 months following the ouster of Hosni Mubarak last year.
Tension peaked as Morsi assayed to reestablish a parliament, ruled by Morsi’s Muslim Brotherhood group and other Islamist friends dissolved by the judicial system and the military prior to his appointment.
Clinton is on a regional visit and will visit Israel next where she’s likely to meet with officials there.
