The US and Egypt discussed a new military initiative to protect Sinai, allowing stronger presence for US troops in the area. The agreement was struck after 16 Egyptian soldiers were killed on a military check point on the borders with Gaza on August 5. US Secretary of Defense Panetta did not rule out sending more troops to the 800 US peacekeeping soldiers present in Sinai. He stressed that he was working with the Egyptian leadership to find out different ways to protect the peninsula. Elsewhere in Egypt, Presidential spokesman Yasser Ali said Tuesday that the President will issue a statement in the coming days that will state the powers of newly-appointed Vice President Mahmoud Mekki. Mekki became Egypt’s first ever civilian Vice President. Mekki, a judge, gained popularity during the times of fallen President Hosni Mubarak in 2005, when Mekki demanded the judiciary system’s administrative independence from the Ministry of Justice. He also had a firm stance against the rigging of the 2005 elections.