Maher says US presence in Sinai a sign of interest in the region

Asked about the topics discussed during his meeting with Arthur Hughs, the commander of the peacekeeping forces in Sinai, earlier in the day, Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher said the meeting came on the occasion of renewing Hughs's mandate for one year, with the approval of Egypt and other parties concerned.

Maher expressed his own viewpoint that any change now in the structure of the US contingent would be ill-timed, as the presence of US forces symbolized Washington's interest in peace in the region.

" Egypt and Israel do not favour the withdrawal of the US forces from Sinai," Maher said.