Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel spoke yesterday with Egyptian Defense Minister Col. Gen. Sedki Sobhy to express his condolences over the recent loss of 22 Egyptian soldiers in an attack near the Libyan border.
In a statement summarizing the call, Pentagon Press Secretary Navy Rear Adm. John Kirby said Hagel thanked Sobhy for Egypt's efforts to broker a cease-fire to the conflict in Israel and Gaza, and noted that Secretary of State John F. Kerry would be arriving in Egypt shortly to discuss the issue.
Hagel and Sobhy reaffirmed their commitment to a strong bilateral relationship and agreed to continue to engage regularly, Kirby said.
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