Russian defense minister in Cairo and Damascus

In a new step towards improving Egyptian - Russian relations, Russian Defense Minister Marshal Igor Segiev arrived in Cairo on Sunday night from Damascus to hold talks with his Egyptian counterpart, Lt. Gen. Hussein Tantawi, on means of strengthening "military cooperation between Egypt and Federal Russia."

Segiev's visit to Egypt came at the invitation of his Egyptian counterpart and in the context of a tour covering Syria and Egypt. Sergiev's visit to Egypt will last for two days.

The Egyptian ambassador to Russia, Rida Shehata, currently in Cairo, said that Sergiev's visit to Cairo is in the context of " developing Egyptian-Russian relations" following the visit President Mubarak made to Russia in September.

It was noted that Sergiev's visit came following visits made by Russian Nationalities Minister Ramazan Abdulatipov and the envoy of the Russian premier to Cairo.

This visit comes following the Russian defense minister's visit to Syria. Spokesman for the Syrian Presidential office Jubran Koreyah on Sunday said that President al-Assad, in the presence of Syrian Defense Minister Lt. Gen. Mustafa Tlass discussed with the Russian minister "bilateral relations and the situation in the Middle East."

Earlier in the day Sergiev discussed with Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Sharaa the "international situation, developments in the region and bilateral relations between the two friendly countries."