Middle East News
US Defense Secretary Panetta in Egypt to meet military rulers
Oct 4, 2011, 11:25 GMT
Cairo - US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta was in Egypt Tuesday to meet with the country's military rulers, amid reports of a possible release of an alleged Israeli spy.
Panetta flew in from Tel Aviv onboard a military plane in a military base in eastern Cairo, sources at the base told dpa.
The visit is his first to the region. Panetta, who was sworn in in July, said he aims to cement security ties and has urged Israelis and Palestinians to kick-start the stalled peace process.
According to recent media reports, Panetta would accompany the US-Israeli man who was arrested on suspicion of spying in June back to the United States.
Cairo has accused Ilan Grapel of spying and encouraging violent protests and stirring internal division in the uprising that forced former Egyptian president Hosny Mubarak to step down.
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