Special to WorldTribune.com

CAIRO — Egypt has urged the United States to support the Arab state’s counter-insurgency campaign.

Egyptian President Abdul Fatah Sisi called on Washington to renew support for the CI campaign against the Muslim Brotherhood and Al Qaida.

In a meeting with a House delegation, the president said Egypt faced regional threats that have engulfed Iraq, Libya and Syria.

“This has resulted in the spread of radical orientation throughout the region,” Sisi said. “They stem from poverty, ignorance and distorted religious rhetoric.”

On Aug. 17, Sisi met a leading supporter in Congress. The president, pointing to NATO’s offensive against Libya in 2011, told Rep. Darrell Issa that the West was responsible for much of the turmoil in the Middle East.

“Because of its incomplete military operation by NATO, Libya no longer has a police or army,” a presidential statement said.

Sisi has sought to renew U.S. military aid to Egypt, much of it suspended in July 2014. Congress has also opposed efforts by the administration of President Barack Obama to renew delivery of the AH-64 Apache attack helicopter to the Egyptian Air Force. In response, Egypt has turned to other military suppliers, particularly France and Russia.

“The U.S. allocated half a billion dollars as military aid to Egypt this fiscal year, and the number will increase to $1 billion next year,” Issa said. “Relations with Egypt are still strong.”

  Abdul Fatah Sisi, AH-64 Apache, Egypt’s Sisi calls on Congress to renew military aid, faults West for Libya’s collapse, Rep. Darrell Issa