CIA chief, Sisi hold talks in Cairo

US Central Intelligence Agency director John Brennan held talks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi during an unannounced visit to Cairo, the president's office said.

The Sunday evening meeting came amid a quickening rapprochement between the longtime allies after Washington in March lifted a partial freeze on its $1.5bn annual aid to Egypt that it imposed when then-army chief Sisi ousted elected president Mohamed Morsi in 2013.

"The meeting underscored the strong ties between Egypt and the USA and the importance of their strategic relationship as well as their commitment to promote relations," a statement from the president's office said.

"The two sides agreed to continue consultation and coordination on issues of mutual interest, particularly with regard to areas witnessing conflict in the Middle East and international efforts to eradicate terrorism."

Egypt's Chief of General Intelligence Service, Khaled Fawzy, and US Ambassador to Egypt Robert Beecroft also reportedly attended the meeting. 

In the first three months of the year, Egypt has experienced an increase in acts of "political violence and militancy", equivalent to one incident every 1.5 hours, according to a report by the Cairo-based Democracy Index.