Kerry in Cairo for Talks on Egypt’s Politics, Mideast Peace

CAIRO (AP) —
Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, right, meets with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry at the presidential palace in Cairo, Egypt, Wednesday, May 18, 2016. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry was holding talks Wednesday with Egyptian officials on the country's political situation and to explore Egypt's ideas for supporting a new Israeli-Palestinian peace bid. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, (R), meets with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry at the presidential palace in Cairo, Egypt, Wednesday. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is in Cairo for talks with Egyptian officials on the country’s political situation and to explore Egypt’s ideas for supporting a new Israeli-Palestinian peace bid.

Kerry flew into the capital for a brief visit Wednesday, a day after Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi offered support for a French initiative to revive the peace process and said he was willing to serve as a mediator.

U.S. officials traveling with Kerry say the secretary of state wants to hear more about el-Sissi’s plans. Earlier Wednesday, Kerry spoke by telephone with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu.

The officials say that in Kerry’s meetings in Cairo, he plans to express concerns about human rights, including Egypt’s crackdowns on dissent, free speech and freedom of assembly.

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