Updated

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry says Egypt is an "important partner" in the emerging coalition aimed at beating back the extremist Islamic State group in Syria and Iraq.

During a visit to Cairo on Saturday, Kerry said that "as an intellectual and cultural capital to the Muslim world," Egypt has a "critical role" to play in denouncing the extremist group's harsh ideology.

Egypt is home to Al-Azhar University, one of the oldest and most revered centers of religious learning for Sunni Muslims.

Kerry spoke after meeting with Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi. Egypt is unlikely to send troops to battle the Islamic State group but could provide logistical and intelligence support to the coalition.