Barack Obama calls new Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi to congratulate him

WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama has congratulated new Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi and conveyed his commitment to working together to advance the shared interests of both countries, the White House said.

During his telephonic call, Obama reiterated America's continuing support for the political, economic, and social aspirations of the Egyptian people, and respect for their universal rights, it said.

"Sissi expressed appreciation for the call and welcomed US support for the new government," the White House said adding that the two leaders affirmed their commitment to the strategic partnership between the United States and Egypt and agreed to stay in touch in the weeks and months ahead.

Meanwhile the State Department strongly condemned the report of sexual assault of a woman in Tahrir Square during the inauguration of the new President.

A video on this is highly in circulation on the social media.

"We have seen the horrific video which shocked and appalled us as much as it did the Egyptian people.

"The prevalence of sexual assaults against Egyptian women is a cause of great concern not just to the Egyptian people but to the United States and the international community," the State Department Spokesperson, Jen Psaki, told reporters at her daily news conference.

"We note President Sissi's message on sexual harassment that came out today, but we urge the government to make good on its promise to do whatever it takes to combat sexual harassment and implement the new law that punishes convicted harassers," she said.

"We also urge all serious efforts to end sexual violence in Egypt and to ensure that there is no impunity for attacks against women," Psaki said.