Trump calls the U.S. an ally of Egypt, hails President el-Sissi

The countries’ relationship has frayed in recent years

President Donald Trump said Monday his buildup of the U.S. military would help Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi fight terrorism as the two met at the White House for their first summit of the Trump presidency.

“We are rejuvenating our military to the highest level,” Trump said in a brief appearance before reporters ahead of a series of meetings and lunch. “You have a great friend and ally in the United States and me.”

Trump praised el-Sissi as a leader who has “done a fantastic job in a very difficult situation.”

Trump made no mention of a U.S. citizen who has been imprisoned by the Egyptians. He said that el-Sissi, who led a military coup in 2013 that deposed former president Mohamed Morsi, has “been someone very close to me from the first time I met him” during his presidential campaign.

U.S. officials told reporters last week that Trump would reaffirm the U.S. commitment to Egypt, after the two countries’ previously close relationship was frayed by political turbulence in Cairo during the Arab Spring and the Obama administration’s concerns about human rights abuses. Trump also wants to help Egypt boost its economy, according to the officials.

After the Oval Office appearance, reporters were unexpectedly summoned to a meeting in the White House’s Cabinet Room, where Trump said “we have many things in common” and “a few things we don’t agree on.”

Egyptian officials arrested Aya Hijazi, who grew up in Virginia, in 2014 while running a foundation to help street children in Egypt. The Egyptian authorities accused Hijazi of abusing the children under her care. Her husband, Mohammed Hassanein, was also arrested.

A U.S. official told reporters last week the Hijazi’s case was a top priority for Trump and that the White House would discuss it with Egyptian leaders during the visit.