US offers Egypt late invite to Africa summit in Washington

The United States has invited Egypt to an African leaders summit in Washington next month, after initially barring Cairo following the ouster of the former Muslim Brotherhood-led government.

A US official said the late invitation had been offered as Egypt had recently been allowed back into the African Union after a year's absence.

"President Obama invited all African heads of state or government in good standing with the United States and the African Union to attend the US-Africa Leaders Summit," said Ned Price, a National Security Council spokesman.

"When the invitations were first issued, Egypt was suspended from the AU.

"Upon Egypt's readmission to the AU, we made the decision to invite them."