Kerry in Cairo to drum up support for 'war' on jihadists

 Egypt's formidable army is unlikely to take part in military action against the Islamic State jihadists (IS), but it has closely cooperated with America on counter-terrorism.
The United States says it is "at war" with IS and has named John Allen, a hawkish former commander in Afghanistan and Iraq, to coordinate its campaign against the movement that has seized large chunks of Iraq and Syria.
Kerry, who flew in to Cairo from Ankara, is scheduled to meet President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Arab League chief Nabil al-Arabi during his one-day visit.
Cairo's involvement in the coalition may help to soothe its relations with Washington, after the United States suspended -- then restored -- military aid following the army's ouster of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in July 2013.
Morsi's successor, the former army chief Sisi, is fighting Islamist militants in the restive Sinai Peninsula who have expressed support for the Islamic State.
Having secured the backing of 10 Arab nations this week, Washington is seeking a stamp of approval for its campaign from Egypt and its religious institutions, which include the prestigious Al-Azhar Sunni Muslim institute.
AFP