Edward Case, the US Representative for the state of Hawaii and a member of the US Congress's Appropriations Committee, visited Egypt's parliament this week.

A press statement said Case's visit was the first of its kind to the Egyptian parliament in three years.

"The last time US congressmen visited Egypt's parliament was three years ago," said the statement.

Representative Case met with Kamal Amer, the head of parliament’s defence and national security committee, and Karim Darwish, the head of the parliament's foreign affairs committee.

"They discussed the importance of strategic relations between Egypt and the United States and the ongoing close cooperation between the two countries on a number of issues," said the statement, adding that "the meeting also covered Egypt's influential role in the Middle East, particularly in the area of fighting terrorism and finding solutions for regional problems."

"They also emphasised the importance of holding joint meetings and discussions on a regular basis between Egyptian MPs and US congressmen in the coming period," said the statement.