US Army General Joseph Votel, the head of the US Central Command (CENTCOM) inspected on Monday forces taking part in the joint US-Egyptian military drills Bright Star 2018, which are being held at the Mohamed Naguib Military Base in Egypt's North Coast, as part of his multi-day official visit to the country.

Exercise Bright Star 2018 between the militaries of both countries started on Saturday at Mohamed Naguib Military Base in Hammam City in Marsa Matrouh govenorate and will run until 20 September.

Land, naval and air forces from Egypt, the US, Greece, Jordan, the UK, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Italy and France were due to take part in the drills.

General Votel, who was accompanied by the commander of Egypt's Northern Military Zone, inspected the command and control center at the base and the areas anf fields of training.

The Egyptian army spokesperson published a one-minute video showing footage of the visit on his official Facebook page.

The army said that the commander "praised the high combat efficiency of all the elements involved in the training, as well as the training and administrative capabilities available at the military base, which Egypt opened last year.

Votel described the Bright Star drills as one on of the most important joint drills undertaken by the US, praising the depth of the military partnership between the US and Egypt.

He thanked the Egyptian Armed Forces for its efforts in hosting and preparing well for the Bright Star drills. 

The Egyptian army had earlier said the excercise is aimed at promoting the exchange of expertise and interoperability among participant forces, and developing operational and training methods in counter-terrorism and irregular warfare scenarios.