Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Ray Mabus met with Egypt's minister of defense, Lt. Gen. Sedky Subhi and chief of the Navy, Rear Adm. Osama Rabie, during a partnership-building visit to Cairo Nov. 9.

Official meetings included discussion of the relationship between the militaries of the United States and Egypt and Egypt's role in enhancing regional security.

"We are committed to maintaining our strong partnership with Egypt and hope to increase our cooperation in the future," said Mabus. "We also value Egypt's contributions to regional security through their support of United Nations peacekeeping operations."

The military leaders also discussed ways to enrich cooperative engagements between their forces.

"Participation in exercises between our forces, such as Exercise Bright Star, will strengthen our relationship and help build interoperability between our forces," Mabus said.

Mabus' stop in Egypt is part of a multinational trip to U.S. Southern, Africa, Central and European command areas of responsibility to meet with Sailors, Marines and military and government leaders.

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