TEL AVIV: The United States’ top military officer voiced admiration on Monday for the way Egypt’s army had peacefully handled the shift of power in the country.
"I think they have handled this situation exceptionally well … it’s been done peacefully, and we have every expectation that that will continue," Admiral Mike Mullen told Reuters during a visit to Israel.
"There are many challenges which are out there in the future … We’ve been so impressed that they have supported their people," said Mullen, who is chairman of the US military’s Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Egypt’s generals, who made no attempt to crush the popular revolt that toppled President Hosni Mubarak on Friday, are asserting their control following his overthrow.
"We’ve got a very strong relationship with the Egyptian military … and we continue to stay in very close touch with our counterparts in the Egyptian military," Mullen said.
Egypt’s armed forces receive about $1.3 billion annually in US aid.
Mullen was a guest at ceremonies on Monday to mark the appointment of a new Israeli military chief, Lieutenant-General Benny Gantz.
