Egyptian general quits meeting to tend crisis at home

Military chief of staff leaves annual talks with the Pentagon to deal with growing anti-government protests

Published January 28, 2011 8:14PM (EST)

Protesters clash with riot police in Cairo.
Protesters clash with riot police in Cairo.

Egypt's military chief of staff is cutting short annual talks in the Pentagon to deal with growing anti-government protests at home.

U.S. Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. James Cartwright told a Pentagon press conference Friday that Egypt's Lt. Gen. Sami Hafez Anan is flying home, just two days into a planned week of meetings in Washington.

Anan was in the U.S. for the highest level strategic talks each year between Washington and Cairo.

Repeating the Obama administration's position on upheaval in Egypt, Cartwright urged the Egyptian government to show restraint in how it deals with protesters.


By Pauline Jelinek

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