US defence secretary heads to Middle East

US Secretary of Defence Jim Mattis today embarked on a five-day trip to Egypt, Jordan, Pakistan and Kuwait, the Pentagon said.

Mattis is scheduled to meet with leaders in each nation “to re-affirm the enduring US commitment to partnerships in the Middle East, West Africa and South Asia,” it said in a statement.

The official will begin his engagements with a visit to Egypt tomorrow, where he will meet with President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi and Minister of Defence Sedki Sobhy and then travel to Jordan, where he will participate in the Aqaba Process, a meeting on countering violent extremism in West Africa, hosted by King Abdallah II on Sunday.

Yesterday, an Israeli security centre requested the US administration give emergency aid to Egypt in a bid to save Al-Sisi’s regime which has been shaken by the unrest across the country, in particular in the Sinai Peninsula.

Read: Jordan King warns US against moving embassy to Jerusalem

After a trip to Pakistan, Mattis will return to the Middle East on Tuesday to meet with Emir Sheikh Sabah Ahmad Al Sabah and other Kuwaiti officials.

Kuwait has been acting as mediator after Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt cut diplomatic ties with Qatar in June. They accuse the small Gulf state of “supporting terrorism”, charges Doha vehemently denies.

Mattis’ visit also comes at a time when reports are emerging that US President Donald Trump will announce recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel on Wednesday, in a move that is contrary to international laws and which could jeopardise peace talks.