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Kerry in Cairo for talks on Egypt’s politics, Mideast peace

FILE -- In this April 20, 2016 file photo, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, listens to U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry during their meeting at the Presidential palace in Cairo, Egypt. President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi said Tuesday that Egypt’s relations with Israel, rooted in a landmark 1979 peace treaty, can only be “warmer” if his country’s former enemy reached a settlement with the Palestinians and pledged to “make every effort” toward a solution. . (AP Photo/Amr Nabil, Pool, File) FILE -- In this April 20, 2016 file photo, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, listens to U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry during their meeting at the Presidential palace in Cairo, Egypt. President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi said Tuesday that Egypt’s relations with Israel, rooted in a landmark 1979 peace treaty, can only be “warmer” if his country’s former enemy reached a settlement with the Palestinians and pledged to “make every effort” toward a solution. . (AP Photo/Amr Nabil, Pool, File)

By Associated Press May 18, 2016 1 min read

CAIRO (AP) – 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 (AHB’-del fat-AH’ el-SEE’-see) 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 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (neh-ten-YAH’-hoo).

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.