Egypt president welcomes return of US military aid

FILE - In this Thursday, Sept. 25, 2014 file photo, President Barack Obama meets with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, left, in New York. Obama on Tuesday, March 31, 2015 released military aid to Egypt that was suspended after the 2013 overthrow of the government, in an effort to boost Cairo's ability to combat the extremist threat in the region. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais, File) FILE - In this Thursday, Sept. 25, 2014 file photo, President Barack Obama meets with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, left, in New York. Obama on Tuesday, March 31, 2015 released military aid to Egypt that was suspended after the 2013 overthrow of the government, in an effort to boost Cairo's ability to combat the extremist threat in the region. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais, File)

By Associated Press April 1, 2015 1 min read

CAIRO (AP) – Egypt’s president says the United States’ release of military aid previously suspended will help boost Cairo’s ability to combat extremists in the region.

Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, who overthrew Egypt’s elected but divisive Islamist president in 2013, said in a statement Wednesday that the decision supports the strategic objectives of both countries in combating terrorism and extremism and maintaining security, particularly in Egypt’s restive Sinai Peninsula.

The White House said President Barack Obama notified el-Sissi in a phone call Tuesday that the U.S. would be sending 12 F-16 fighter jets, 20 missiles and up to 125 tank kits, while continuing to request $1.3 billion in military assistance for Egypt.

The White House said Egypt will remain the second-largest recipient of U.S. foreign military financing worldwide, after Israel.