Tantawi meets with US defense minister

Chief of the Egyptian Supreme Council of the Armed Forces Field Marshall Mohammed Hussein Tantawi met on Tuesday with newly-appointed US Minister of Defense Leon Panetta and the delegation accompanying him, who are currently visiting Cairo. They discussed the latest developments in the region as well as on the international stage. They also discussed means of enhancing bilateral cooperation and military relations. Panetta expressed his administration''s support for the Egyptian Supreme Council in its efforts during the democratic transition. He also praised the Council''s promise to allow foreign and Egyptian NGO to observe the elections. Panetta is currently on a Middle-East tour that included a visit to Israel and Palestine, concluding with a visit to Egypt.