Pompeo to Visit Religious Edifices at Egypt’s New Capital

By: Norhan Mahmoud 

CAIRO, Jan. 8 (SEE)- US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will pay a visit tomorrow to ‘Al-Fattah El-Alim’ Mosque and the ‘Nativity of Christ’ Cathedral at the New Capital in Egypt, in which he will meet with Al-Azhar Sheikh Dr. Ahmed El-Tayeb and Pope Tawadros II, Patriarch of Alexandria.

This week Mr. Pompeo started an 8-nation Mideast tour, including Egypt- where he will deliver a speech on ‘The US’s commitment to peace, prosperity, stability and security in the Middle East.” 

Prior to taking off, Secretary Pompeo wrote on twitter that his visit is “to send a clear message to our friends and partners that the U.S. is committed to the region, committed to #defeatISIS, and committed to counter Iran’s destabilizing activities.”

https://twitter.com/SecPompeo/status/1082419194895962112?s=20

Thomas Goldberger, Chargé d' Affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Cairo, also opted for twitter to express the embassy’s willingness “to supporting a very successful visit to our Egyptian friends and partners.” 

Mr. Pompeo’s visit comes amid a state of confusion over the foreign policy of US President Donald Trump's administration after declaring that the US will fully withdraw its troops from Syria before amending it to a gradual withdrawal over the course four month, after a wave of criticism and warnings about the consequences of the resolution.