A top aide of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has visited Cairo to coordinate with Egypt in the fight against terrorism in the region, the Associated Press reports.

Syria's state news agency reported on Monday, October 17 that Maj. Gen. Ali Mamlouk, head of the National Security Bureau, led a delegation that visited Egypt the day before.

SANA says the Syrians met with top intelligence officials, including deputy chief of Egypt's intelligence agency. It says both sides agreed on "coordinating political standpoints" and strengthening the "cooperation in fighting terrorism."

Both countries are fighting extremists, including members of the Islamic State group. Egypt and Syria also have bad relations with Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.