US Vice President Mike Pence has reassured Egypt's leader over Washington's stance on Middle East peace. Pence said the United States would support a two-state solution for Israelis and Palestinians if the two sides agreed. This is the highest-level visit from a US official to the region since December when Trump recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

MIKE PENCE US VICE PRESIDENT "We're absolutely committed to preserving the status quo with regard to holy sites in Jerusalem; that we are, that we have come to no final resolution about boundaries or other issues that are to be negotiated between the parties. And if the parties agree, I reminded President al-Sisi that president Trump said that if the parties agree, we will support a two-state solution. My perception was that he was encouraged by that message."

The two leaders also discussed anti-terrorism issues. Egypt was the first leg of Pence's three-nation Middle East tour. He arrived in Jordan on Saturday. His itinerary also includes Israel. Pence says that US is committed to building a partnership for security with all the three countries, while at the same time finding ways to advance the peace process.