Kerry Begins Middle East Trip in Cairo - East Idaho News
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Kerry Begins Middle East Trip in Cairo

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020413 JohnKerryFirstDay?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1383489129705State Department photo(CAIRO, Egypt) — Secretary of State John Kerry began a weeklong trip through the Middle East in Cairo on Sunday.

The Nov. 3-11 trip will also take him to Saudi Arabia, Poland, Israel, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Algeria and Morocco.

Unlike the other stops, Kerry’s visit to Cairo was kept under wraps until his arrival there Sunday morning, although Egyptian media began reporting it last week. The trip comes at a sensitive time, as last month, the U.S. cut off military aid to Egypt, and on Monday, ousted president Mohamed Morsi will stand trial; he’s accused of inciting killings of his opponents.

Appearing with Egyptian Foreign Minister Nabil Fahmy at a press conference on Sunday, Kerry acknowledged Egypt’s difficulties, voicing support for Egypt’s interim government and pledged continuing humanitarian aid.

Kerry’s visit to Egypt is his first since Morsi’s ouster. Sunday afternoon, he will meet with acting President Adly Mansour.

In his other stops, Kerry will discuss Syria, Iran, and Israeli/Palestinian peace talks. In Saudi Arabia, he will meet with King Abdullah and will likely discuss Saudi Arabia’s refusal of a seat on the U.N. Security Council protesting, in part, the council’s lack of action in Syria.

The trip will also coincide with the latest round of Iranian nuclear talks, happening in Geneva Thursday and Friday.

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

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