U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and visiting Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit launched the initial meeting of the U.S.-Egyptian strategic dialogue on Tuesday to discuss a wide range of issues in the bilateral relationship.

"It is a dialogue that is devoted to the wide range of issues that arise in our relationship, it is devoted to a strengthening of our relationship. We obviously have a very strong and long- standing strategic relationship," Rice said after her talks with Gheit.

Rice said that it is a time of great change in the Middle East and a time of great change in Egypt itself and "it makes, therefore, even more important our constant discussion and consultation."

Rice said that she and Gheit talked about the Middle East peace process, Lebanon, internal political developments in Egypt and in the region.

For his part, Gheit said that he is pleased to initiate the strategic dialogue between the United States and Egypt. "The relationship between both is a strategic relationship and it is a long-lasting relationship," he said.

Egypt has been a strong U.S. ally in the Middle East.

Source: Xinhua