The US’s Naval Forces central commander arrived in Cairo on Sunday to meet with senior Egyptian officials to discuss shared security interests between the two countries, the US Embassy in Cairo announced.

In an official statement, the embassy said that Vice Admiral Kevin M. Donegan, who assumed command in September 2015, is set to meet with Egyptians officials to "discuss U.S.-Egypt collaboration and the long-standing partnership between Egypt and the US in fighting terrorism and promoting security and stability in the region."

The statement did not mention which Egyptian representatives the US official is going to meet.

A series of mutual visits have been ongoing between Egyptian and US security officials in recent months to discuss ways of strengthening cooperation to fight terrorism in the region.

The United States provides Egypt with $1.3 billion in military aid annually, with the 2016 package including $150 million in economic assistance.

In May, Egypt received an initial shipment of 762 mine resistant ambush protected (MRAP) vehicles from the United States, which will be used in army operations in North Sinai.

Egypt's security forces have been fighting a decade-long Islamist insurgency in parts of North Sinai that spiked following the 2013 ouster of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi.

In its fight against terrorists in parts of North Sinai, hundreds of Egyptian security personnel have been killed by roadside bombs, with the Egyptian army announcing “successful preemptive strikes” against the militants in comprehensive joint military and police operations.