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CAIRO, Egypt: US Central Intelligence Agency Director John Ratcliffe met Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi Sunday in a rare visit to Cairo, as the United States warned of rapid escalation in the Middle East war.<\/strong><\/p>\n Sisi\u2019s office said the meeting, attended by Egypt\u2019s spy chief Hassan Rashad, discussed the wars in Iran, the Gaza Strip and Sudan, as well as attacks on Gulf countries and threats to maritime security.<\/p>\n Sisi stressed \u201cthe paramount importance of settling regional crises through political and diplomatic tracks,\u201d according to a presidency statement.<\/p>\n It comes after the US State Department warned Americans against travel to the region, as hostilities rage between Saudi Arabia and Yemen\u2019s Houthis.<\/p>\n \u201cThis military conflict has the potential to escalate rapidly,\u201d it warned.<\/p>\n The violence has already disrupted air and marine traffic, as well as energy exports, pushing global oil prices past $100 a barrel.<\/p>\n Ratcliffe\u2019s visit comes days after de facto Saudi leader Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met Sisi in Cairo.<\/p>\n The pair urged safe and secure maritime navigation through Bab al-Mandab, after the Houthis seized the Yemeni coast in a lightning offensive.<\/p>\n US media last week reported Washington refused a Saudi request to strike the Houthis.<\/p>\n Washington then approved a $24.3 billion sale of 48 F-35 fighter jets to the kingdom to help Riyadh \u201cdeter current and future threats\u201d, the US State Department said.<\/p>\n Cairo is a key US ally in the region and one of the top recipients of US military aid.<\/p>\n Sisi\u2019s office said Ratcliffe on Sunday \u201clauded Egypt\u2019s pivotal role in supporting efforts aimed at reaching peaceful, comprehensive settlements to regional crises\u201d.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n