Mattis heads to Middle East and Africa

By Tony Bertuca / April 14, 2017 at 12:01 PM

Defense Secretary Jim Mattis will embark on a trip to the Middle East and Africa on Monday, with scheduled stops in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Israel, Qatar and Djibouti.

Mattis will begin his trip in Saudi Arabia, where on Tuesday he will have a series of meetings with “key international counterparts to strengthen commitments to the U.S.-Saudi security partnership,” according to a Pentagon statement.

On Wednesday, Mattis will travel to Egypt to “discuss regional security issues” and take part in a wreath-laying ceremony at a memorial for Egyptian soldiers.

Mattis will arrive in Israel on Thursday, where he will meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Reuben Rivlin and Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman. Mattis will also participate in a wreath-laying ceremony at the World Holocaust Remembrance Center.

On Saturday, Mattis will visit Qatar to meet with “key international leadership and continue efforts to strengthen regional security architectures,” according to the Pentagon.

Mattis will travel to Djibouti on Sunday to meet with President Ismail Omar Guelleh “to further the U.S-Djibouti commitment to promoting regional stability,” according to the Pentagon.

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