A US delegation of members of both Houses of Congress has been touring the Middle East, beginning with Cairo to identify new aspects of Egypt's foreign policy. The delegation met with Egyptian Foreign Minister Nabil Al-Araby, who briefed them on the most important characteristics of the policy and its impact on various regional issues. Paramount is how Egypt is going to manage its role in the Israel-Palestine conflict; the American delegation is also going to visit Tel Aviv. The meeting included a discussion of the latest regional political and social developments.

Mr. Al-Araby asked the US administration to sponsor an international peace conference in an attempt to reach a bilateral agreement which would achieve peace between the Palestinians and Israelis. At the same time, it was pointed out that recognition of an independent Palestinian state corresponds completely with the position taken by President Barack Obama and Washington's "two-state solution".

The delegation's visit, headed by Democrat John Yarmouth, was arranged by Jewish-American organisation J Street.