Petraeus, Abul-Gheit discuss security

CAIRO, Dec. 29 (UPI) -- The head of U.S. Central Command met with Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul-Gheit Sunday to discuss the central forces framework.

Gen. David Petraeus and Abul-Gheit met in Egypt to discuss the ongoing security challenges among the 20 countries in the Middle East and Central Asia that make up the central forces framework.

While the discussions were largely overshadowed by the renewed conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip, the meeting was scheduled in advance of the outbreak of violence in Israel, the Egyptian government reported.

Officials say Petraeus and Abul-Gheit also met to discuss ways the United States and Egypt could strengthen cooperation on countering threats to regional security.

"The aim of this meeting was discussing issues of common concern between the two countries, the bilateral ties and the role that was played by the central forces in this framework," the release said.