E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSSUS Secretary of State Hillary Clinton meets with newly elected Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi, a scene that no one would have believed just 18 months ago. NBC's Ayman Mohyeldin reports.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met with newly elected Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi for the first time, arriving in Egypt amid a showdown between the Islamist president and the country’s powerful military leadership that has filled the gap since the ouster of long-time President Hosni Mubarak.
In comments at a news conference after her meeting with Morsi, Clinton said the United States supports the full establishment of democratic rule in Egypt and the return of its military to an exclusively national security role. She was scheduled to meet on Sunday with Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi who headed a group of generals who oversaw Egypt's transition period.
"The United States supports the full transition to civilian rule with all that entails,'' Clinton said during a news conference after her meeting with Morsi. She commended the military's stabilizing role during Egypt's transition, Reuters reported.
"But there is more work ahead. And I think the issues around the parliament, the constitution have to be resolved between and among Egyptians. I will look forward to discussing these issues tomorrow with Field Marshall Tantawi and in working to support the military's return to a purely national security role.''
The Egyptian military ruled the country for 16 months until Morsi's inauguration on June 30, but the generals retained far-reaching powers and stripped the presidency of many powers before they stepped down.
Even before that, Egypt's Supreme Constitutional Court dissolved the first democratically elected parliament, which was Islamist-dominated, after ruling that a third of its members were elected illegally. Morsi has tried to reinstate the lawmakers, many of them allies from the Muslim Brotherhood.
Prior to their meeting Clinton and Morsi exchanged pleasantries in the presence of the media, the BBC reported. Clinton talked about the rapid pace of change in Egypt.
Morsi said: "We are very very keen to meet you and happy that you are here."
The Associated Press noted that the two did not shake hands when they first met, sparking speculation about whether Morsi’s beliefs prohibited it. But the president shook hands with Clinton and the entire U.S. delegation behind closed doors, according to a U.S. official, the AP reported later.
Clinton's trip is also intended to shore up the U.S.-Egypt relationship. Mubarak was a staunch military and strategic ally in the region. Morsi’s Islamic Brotherhood was outlawed by the Mubarak regime for decades.
EPA
Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi meets with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at the presidential palace in Cairo, Egypt on Saturday.
Clinton emphasized the need for Egypt to adhere to its 1979 peace treaty with Israel, and offered U.S. support to help Cairo regain control of the increasingly lawless Sinai Peninsula — a major security concern for Israel, Reuters reported. She is slated to fly to Israel from Egypt.
In Egypt, Clinton will highlight a number of initiatives the United States is taking to bolster the Egyptian economy, which has structural problems from the past three decades under the Mubarak regime and suffered a hit to key industries including tourism amid political turmoil.
The Obama administration has promised a billions dollars in support of the new Egyptian government when it was formed.
Clinton was expected to begin talking about the details of that support package and debt relief — providing funds that can go into job-creating programs and training, especially focused on Egypt's young people, a senior U.S. official said.
In addition, Clinton was planning to announce the head of a new U.S. Egypt Enterprise Fund, initially capitalized at $60 million to invest in the country and speak to the Egyptian leadership about the steps they need to take to tap into another $250 million U.S. fund earmarked for small and medium-sized enterprises.
NBC News, The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.
More world news from msnbc.com and NBC News:
- Surfer presumed dead in Australia shark attack
- Suicide bomber kills at least 22 at Afghan wedding
- The ghosts that haunt China's economic landscape
- China reports slowest growth rate in 3 years
- US source: Syria is moving its chemical weapons
- Tight security, long lines and moans: A very British Olympics
- 3 Americans killed as private jet crashes in southern France
- Costa Concordia disaster spawns shipwreck tourism
- Ex-pats rush to aid Syrian students abroad
Follow World News on msnbc.com on Twitter and Facebook
Leave a Comment:
What did this old broad do buy that mousey blonde hair dye by the fricken case!!!!
Just threaten to wrap those thunder thighs around his head. They will submit to our demands ! LMFAO
She is ugly. Why does she wear the ugliest 1970s style pant suit?! She should leave the public life because she is worthless!
She is not ugly. She is just getting older. Bill isn't the chick magnet he once was. I do think she needs to do something with her hair. Cut and perm it or if she wants to let it stay long, pur it in an attractive bum or chignon when in public. I hope while she is there she'll talk to them about killing Christians.
she gets her fashion advice from moooo...
There's a reason she's called " her thighness " !!!
BLAH...BLAH...BLAH.....How much in foreign aid are we giving them.....not that Egypt needs it. I've seen Hillary looking better. She needs to get a different hair stylist.
.... "needs to get a different hair stylist"..... ????!!!???..... how about a new face !!??????????
How much MORE of OUR Money did she offer Morsi, that's what I want to know. Every time Hillary goes somewhere it cost's us Money. Stay the Hell home and take care of our problems first. All we get is a kick in the Ass every time we try to help another country.
I wonder if she intends to back up Ruth Bader Ginsburgs suggestion to the Egyptian people that they should adopt their new constitution according to that of South Africas since it made much more sense and was much more modern and civil compared to that of the constitution of her own supposedly beloved country the United States of America? What a phucking traitor that butt ugly bit ch is! Siiting no less, on the Supreme Court!!! A GD PHUCKING TRAITOR!!!!!!!!
Dictor Mohammed Marsi "did you bring the check" Hilary"yes Oh exalted one don't forget our agreement(wink,wink)..
This is not about fat. This is not about ugly. This is not about the working poor or being gay or straight or bi. This is simply about power; power on the world stage; the power to attempt to transform in the model of some grand socialist world order. You may sling all of the invectives you wish. They do nothing more than make you look shallow. Try to understand and, if you can, articulate the true depth of the malignancy at hand.
And in spite of your glowing statement she reamins fat and ugly. Small wonder Bill was always out looking for some strange on the side. LOL
Thank God.
Somebody who understands what is really going on. Hillary may be looking rough but that is nothing compared to what the Obama administration has planned for the United States if he gets re-elected. You think the money he's giving them now is a lot, just wait.
Typical republican male. Great big mouth and no facts. Please Carl tell us all about what Obama has planned for us.
wow she is getting uglier and fatter by the day....yuck
What is pathetic is the nasty comments of morons who think that only young attractive women are fit to be in high offices.
She deserves every bit of it Donny
Now that you mention it Cindy Lohan could probably get more accomplished in a day. Than Hillary has done in 3 1/2 years ! She might get a arrested with the Secret Service. Hey pitfalls of government service ! LMFAO
Never mind looking beautiful, how about just looking stateswomanlike... like you give a crap how other people perceive you!!!
Don, THANK YOU for being a nice male American. There are so many women haters here on this board.
I hope he got laid.....
There's an old Egyptian proverb: "Beauty is skin deep, but ugly goes all the way to the bone"
You should know all about bones Vulgaria. WOOF WOOF WOOF.
Where does this money come from??? the Ryan budget.
Quick suspend her passport and don't let her back in AMERICA. She is a better fit as a citizen of Iran or Egypt. This whole thing would make a maggot vomit, Morsi has already identified himself as a radical and hater of AMERICA. Cut off the cash payment to this rabble.
Hillary is a very heavy boozer, judging by her face. She couldn't believe that the Dems nominated the poser / loser Barry Obama over her.
Rob, can't you find a more productive way to spend your time. I don't drink alcohol but I notice that the boozers are the ones who call everyone else that.....
I suspect that is the case with you. . .
Mr. Morsi was educated in the United States and resigned from the Muslim Brotherhood on his first day in office. He will have difficulty routing out the entrenched military who still imagines that they hold power in Egypt. The real power in Eygpt is held by the younger generations who learned how to get rid of despotic rulers and policies.
Until and unless there is an outside interference, Morsi should be able to get rid of these guys and gain support of the general population of Egypt if he can get the Parliament seated again. The approach Hilary is supporting at the moment is the logical, non-violent and reasonable way to settle the current political problem
Egypt has some a long way since the revolution. Having the support of the United States through Hilary's active meetings and recommendations will help.
We have a large stake in the outcome of establishing a democratic government in Egypt.
It sure will help the Islamists consolidate power. Then will see how brilliantly stupid this all is.
Good Lord, do ya think you could fix yourself up Hillary and take some pride in yourself? Your representation of the US is disgusting with your trailer trash look. Condolecca Rice at least had some pride in her personal appearance and represented a level of respect to the leaders she met.
No wonder Bill sleeps around and finds other women, Hillary is horrible looking, maybe Barry likes her that way, it makes Michelle look more appealing.
It is shameful and embarrassing to read about a billion dollars aid promised to the new government (read Islamics) to help Egypt in job training and especially for the young people when our people, especially our young people need that job training and so many other things that we are facing in our country. IT IS TIME AMERICA TO STOP THIS MADNESS. What is more important right now ? It's them or us?
Morsi's beliefs also include raping her, then killing her for being a whore. It's just important that they dont shake hands.
Got it.
Hey Morsi, don't be fooled. That is not the pretty face of America.
The American people appolize to you. Sorry we sent you The UGLY American.
Woops! We bad.
Who hit the Secretary of State in the face with a shovel ?? :(
I once saw her in a yellow pants suit. Kids were trying to board her.
To the moron talking about the Bush taxes. Taxing the rich the way you want will fund the government for a whopping 8 days!!!!!!!! Get over your envy. Taking from the "rich" won't improve the lot of the "poor". It's just punishment. Another way for that great uniter, BHO, to fire up more class warfare.
But you can't fix stupid, so just carry on.
Most of the posters are obviously men who feel threatened by intelligent women. Wow how glad you are that you have something "bad" to say about her.
Sadly, you have reverted to high school shenanigans. You feel inferior to an intelligent woman. How can you measure up? There is no sexual undertones from Hillary's side, despite her being a picture of womanhood. This means that YOU have to meet an INDEPENDENT WOMAN on her intellectual and diplomatic level. Obviously, that is too much to ask from you guys.
I feel sorry for your wives.
She may be intelligent but she is Fuglier than ever.
I think the foreign leaders would respect her opinions more if she looked like she took care of herself and at least purported a professional appearance instead of the witch from Sleeping Beauty.
shut up douche bag ! I feel sorry for your wife !!
bali, you mean you feel sorry for my nice respectful and handsome boyfriend (hint: I am a woman). Your mama should have spent some time raising you, maybe that is why you don't like women.
Hold, Hillary is a picture of a free woman - womanhood - which is a VERY important issue in our world. Remember, it was not so long ago that a woman couldn't vote. Still today, women's rights are not developed in many nations around the world. Hillary meet with many male leaders from those nations. I applaud her for being a true picture of an independent woman - not a "model" that has been "shaped" by men.
Why is everyone putting Mrs. Clinton down? She is doing her job as ordered by her boss. What gets me is they'are even trying to deal with Muslim Brotherhood & a top leader at that, this group openly expresses their hatred for & wanted destruction of the US & our allies. Now Egypt (even though most of the citizen probably didn't consider) who has weapons of mass distruction is in the hands of terrorist. To top off our government/President has offered continuous support of this so call elected government.
It is this admistration I have doubts about since they insist on leaving our borders wide open, guess what people there are more then just illegal latinos seeking a so called better crossing our borders, plus all the so called refugees for the land terrorist our government keeps allowing in.
I would not shake hands with her either.
I'am afeared I might get what she's got.
A horrible case of the ugly buglys!
Slick Willy just ain't treated her right!