Egypt's Sisi Heads To Italy On 1St European Tour

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi left to Rome Monday on in his first European tour – that would also include France - since he took office earlier this year.



Al-Sisi's talks in the two European states would focus on counterterrorism efforts, economy and the situation in Libya, according to the Egyptian presidency.



"The economic file and bolstering bilateral relations will top the president's agenda during his four-day visit to the two countries," presidency spokesman Alaa Youssef said in a statement.



He added that al-Sisi would also discuss some regional issues with politicians from the two states, including the situation in Libya, counterterrorism measures, the Palestinian issue, the situation in both Iraq and Syria and the war against the so-called Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant militant group.



Youssef said as soon as he arrives in Rome, al-Sisi would hold a closed-door meeting with Italian President Giorgio Napolitano with officials from the Italian and Egyptian sides to join the talks later.



He said during his visit to Italy, al-Sisi would also pay a visit to the Vatican to meet with Pope Francis.



Youssef added that the Egyptian president would meet with French President Francois Hollande on Wednesday.



This will be the first visit by an Egyptian president to the Vatican in eight years. Talks between al-Sisi and the Vatican pontiff are expected to focus on relations between the Catholic Church and Al-Azhar, according to Youssef.



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