Newly-Confirmed U.S. CENTCOM Commander Meets President Sisi

Source: U.S. Embassy - Cairo

General Joseph L. Votel, Commander of the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), met today with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, Minister of Defense Sedky Sobhy, and Ministry of Defense Chief of Staff Mahmoud Hegazy. It was General Votel's first visit to Egypt as the CENTCOM Commander. General Votel assumed command of CENTCOM on March 30, 2016.

General Votel discussed cooperation in the fight against terrorism in Egypt and the region. He reiterated U.S. support for Egypt, and said he would work to strengthen the ties between the Egyptian and the United States' militaries.

Before assuming the leadership of CENTCOM in March, General Votel served as the Commanding General of U.S. Special Operations Command, based at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida.

The CENTCOM area of responsibility covers 20 nations in the Middle East, Central and South Asia.