US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta arrived in Cairo on Tuesday to meet with Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi, head of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, and President Mohamed Morsy.

Panetta’s visit is the first for Cairo since the presidential elections. He will review stances toward several issues related to bilateral relations as well as regional and international situations.

Tantawi and Panetta will discuss developments in Egypt, the Iranian nuclear program, the situation in Syria and its effects on stability in the region, and the peace process and Egyptian-Israeli relations, which have captured the attention of US politicians visiting Cairo since the revolution in 2011.

Panetta had come from Tunisia, and is headed Tuesday afternoon to Amman.

Ahead of his trip to the region, Panetta said he would ponder all methods of support that Washington can provide to support democratic transitions, development and stability.

Edited translation from MENA