The American Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel arrived in Cairo on Wednesday as part of his first visit to the Middle East since he assumed office in February.

Hagel's visit will include talks with Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi and military officials in order to reaffirm relations with Washington's traditional allies in the region, reported the Middle East News Agency.

Hagel is scheduled to discuss military support and strategic ties with his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah al-Sisi as Egypt receives U.S. military aid.

Hagel is also expected to discuss security measures in Egypt and Israel.

His visit comes less than a month after a visit by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry to Egypt where he met with the Egyptian president.

On his week-long Middle East tour, Hagel made stops in Israel, Saudi Arabia and Jordan where he discussed the Iranian nuclear programme and the conflict in Syria.