CAIRO: Jill Biden arrived in Cairo on Friday as part of a six-day trip across the Middle East, North Africa, and Europe.

The first lady's visit to Egypt aims to empower women and promote education for young people.

Biden arrived in the Egyptian capital from Amman, Jordan, where she attended the wedding of Crown Prince Hussein and Saudi architect Rajwa Alseifi on Thursday.

She will visit Morocco on Saturday before heading to Portugal on Monday, which is the final stop of her tour.

The nuptials in Jordan drew a star-studded list, with Britain's Prince William and his wife Kate in attendance.

However, the wedding also held deep significance for the region, emphasizing continuity in an Arab state prized for its longstanding stability.

Egypt is one of the largest recipients of American economic and military aid in the Middle East.

However, in recent years, US lawmakers have sought to condition that aid on human rights improvements and reforms.

Biden is expected to meet with President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and visit a technical school in the capital during her visit to Egypt.

Her spokesperson, Vanessa Valdivia, told The Associated Press last week that the first lady's visit to Egypt will also focus on US investments that support education programs.

Since coming to power in 2013, El-Sisi's government has overseen a wide-ranging crackdown on dissent, jailing thousands.

The government has targeted not only Islamist political opponents but also pro-democracy activists, journalists, and online critics.

The tour marks Biden's first visit to the Middle East as first lady.

She traveled to Namibia and Kenya in February.