Roundup: Kerry says Iran nuclear deal will make Egypt, region safer

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said on Sunday that the nuclear deal reached between Iran and world powers would make Egypt and the region "safer than they otherwise would be."

"We are completely grateful for Egypt's support in the Iranian nuclear deal," Kerry told a press conference in Cairo.

He said "Iran is part of the instability in several countries in the region and the nuclear program should be peaceful so we can discuss the future of security in the region."

Kerry added that the U.S. has deemed Iran as terrorism-sponsoring country before signing the deal.

"But there is a fact, that if Iran is a problem, the nuclear weapons disarmament will improve security in the region," he said, adding that Iran has chosen to abide by the deal.

Nuclear weapons disbarment in the region will assure Egypt, Israel and the Gulf countries, the top U.S. diplomat said following the strategic dialogue with his counterpart, the first dialogue of its kind since eight years.

Kerry will travel to Doha later on Sunday to meet with his counterparts from the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states.

He asserted that in case of Iranian violation of the deal, all the choices will open in the future.

Experts said that Kerry's trip, which ends on Aug. 8, came to assure the region, the Gulf countries in particular, over the expansion of the Iranian influence after the nuclear deal was signed on July 14.

HUMAN RIGHTS, DEMOCRACY

On the U.S.-Egyptian ties, Kerry said the two countries returning to a "stronger base" in their relationship despite tensions and concerns over human rights and democracy.

The U.S.-Egyptian relations have been strained relatively following the ouster of the Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in 2013 by the military amid mass protests.

Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shukri told a joint news conference with Kerry that his country has "no major disagreements with the United States but there are differences in points of view over some issues, which is natural."

"During the dialogue we discussed our shared interests in issues related to democracy and human rights, and I affirmed Egypt's commitment to paying attention to these issues as they fulfill the aspirations of the Egyptian people," Shukri said.

Since Morsi's removal, thousands of his supporters have been detained, some hundreds were sentenced to death and life sentences which provoked human rights uproar.

Meanwhile, Kerry says it's important to distinguish between those who use violence to achieve ends, and others who seek to peacefully participate in political dialogue even if what they say makes people uncomfortable.

Both officials also agreed on the importance of ensuring "free, fair and transparent" Egyptian parliamentary elections later this year.

SECURITY

Kerry's visit comes days after Washington released its first delivery of F-16 warplanes to Egypt.

"The American people are committed to the security and economic well-being of the Egyptian people," Kerry said.

Egypt has witnessed militant insurgency by the IS affiliates in Sinai Peninsula against the security forces, and the attacks have expanded into the capital and some of the Delta cities.

Hundreds of army and policemen have been killed in the attacks, which have also crept at the border with Libya due to security vacuum.

Kerry said the U.S. and Egypt agreed to explore opportunities to "expand security relationship." He also expressed appreciation for Egypt's help in "expediting the U.S. access to the Sues Canal in support of counter-terrorism operations. Endit