US State Department: Obama's been travelling, will call Sisi soon

The US State Department’s deputy spokesperson Mary Harf said in Monday’s press briefing that President Barack Obama will call former army chief Abdel Fatah Al-Sisi soon, and that the call has been postponed due to Obama’s busy schedule.

In response to a question on whether Obama has called Al-Sisi after his election, Harf said the call had not yet taken place: “the President’s obviously been traveling. White House will have more details on timing, but should be happening soon.”

Harf added: “We look forward to working with him, and sometimes schedules just make these things tough to get people on the phone.”

Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi, the military coup leader who has recently been elected after show elections, has been sworn in on Sunday after gaining 96.91 percent of votes. The elections have been marred by staggeringly low voter turnout and international condemnation.

President Barack Obama has returned from a European tour that included Poland, Belgium, Italy, Vatican and France.

Thomas Shannon, counsellor of the State Department, represented the US in Al-Sisi’s inauguration Monday, which was considered as a low-level representation that reflected US reservations.