Martin Dempsey, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, on Saturday met with Egypt's top defense officials in Cairo to discuss a wide range of issues including a recent travel ban on U.S. citizens by the Egyptian government, said Dave Lapan, the chairman's spokesman.

The chairman met with his counterpart, Lt. Gen. Sami Hafez Enan, chief of staff of the Egyptian armed forces, Hussein Tantawi, Chief of Egypt's Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF), and other Egyptian defense officials, the American Forces Press Service quoted the spokesman as saying.

The meetings occurred on day three of Dempsey's second visit to the region, which included a stop in Afghanistan.

Discussions included Egypt's investigation into the alleged illegal foreign funding of some nongovernmental organizations by more than 40 Egyptian and American activists, including 19 U.S. citizens, Lapan said.

Egyptian authorities have prevented some Americans involved in the investigation from leaving the country, including Sam LaHood, son of U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. He and several others have taken refuge at the U.S. Embassy in Cairo.

The United States has reacted angrily, voicing deep concerns on these moves and even threatening to cut its military aid to Egypt.

The Egyptian authorities have been defending their actions, insisting that no violations of laws occurred in these investigations.