Blinken says Egypt has more 'issues of concern' on human rights ahead of dialogue

Secretary of State Antony Blinken, right, gestures, to Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry during a U.S.-Egypt strategic dialogue at the State Department, Monday, Nov. 8, 2021, in Washington, U.S., Alex Brandon/Pool via REUTERS

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Top U.S. diplomat Antony Blinken said on Monday that Egypt had more work to do on human rights as he met with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry amid calls for Washington to take a tougher stance on the country's record.

The two met ahead of a U.S.-Egypt Strategic Dialogue in Washington, the first such talks since President Joe Biden took power pledging to put human rights and democracy at the center of his foreign policy.