Special to WorldTribune.com

CAIRO — The United States has assured Egypt that it would receive
advanced fighter-jets over the next two years.

“We have a history of working with the Egyptian military leadership,”
Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said. “We will continue to provide the aid and assistance we can to help them in this effort.”

Officials said the administration of President Barack Obama has relayed
a series of messages that Egypt would receive 20 F-16 Block 52 multi-role
fighters from Lockheed Martin.

They said the administration has determined
that Egypt’s military regime was fulfilling its pledge to hand over power to
a civilian government.

During a visit to Cairo on July 31, Panetta expressed the
administration’s satisfaction with the election of Egypt’s first civilian
president, Mohammed Morsi. Morsi, deemed a leading Islamist, was described as a democrat intent on reform.

“I was convinced that President Moris is his own man and he is the
president of all the Egyptian people and he is truly committed to
implementing democratic reforms,” Panetta said.

Egypt has been the second largest recipient of U.S. military aid, with
$1.3 billion a year. Over the last two years, Congress has repeatedly
threatened to cut off military aid to Egypt amid findings that the military regime was violating human and civil rights and failing to maintain security cooperation with Israel.

But Panetta said he was persuaded that both Morsi and the military were
fulfilling their pledges to lead Egypt toward democracy. The defense
secretary also met Egyptian Defense Minister Hussein Tantawi, head of the
ruling military council and who helped overthrow President Hosni Mubarak in
February 2011.

“I was pleased to hear Field Marshal Tantawi confirm his continuing
commitment to transition to full civilian rule,” Panetta said. “It’s my view
that President Morsi and Field Marshal Tantawi have a very good working
relationship and are working together for the same ends.”

Panetta’s visit to Egypt took place as Morsi was reported to have sent
his first formal message to Israel. In a message to Israeli President Shimon
Peres, Morsi was quoted as saying that he hoped to work with the Jewish
state for peace in the Middle East. Hours later, Morsi’s spokesman denied
such a letter.

Still, Israel has relayed concern to Washington over the expected
delivery of the F-16s to Egypt. The Egyptian order was for aircraft said to
resemble the F-16s delivered to Israel by Lockheed Martin nearly a decade
ago. Egypt was also preparing to received the first of four fast missile
craft from the United States, which would include the Harpoon-2 anti-ship
missile.

During his visit, Panetta said Washington would work with Egypt to
bolster security of its borders. Since Mubarak’s ouster, Egypt has lost
control over much of the Sinai Peninsula, now used as a launching pad in
attacks on Israel.

On Aug. 1, shots were fired from Sinai toward an Israel Army patrol.
There were no reports of injuries.

“We agreed that these challenges are best confronted cooperatively,”
Panetta said. “There is continuing support for a strong military to military
relationship, because security for Egypt is important for the stability of
this country as it implements democratic transition. Our goal, frankly, is
an Egypt that can secure itself in the region.”

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