WASHINGTON (Reuters) - US Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Jim Reese and top Democrat Bob Menendez, along with 15 other members of the Senate, urged Foreign Minister Mike Pompeo to raise concerns about political freedoms, reforms and human rights in Egypt during a meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. .

The senators stressed the importance of a security partnership with Cairo on common challenges, with Egypt making a concrete effort to bring about reforms.

They also expressed their deep concern at the continued detention of US citizens by the Egyptian authorities, demanding their immediate release.

Lawmakers also noted concern over reports that Cairo had bought 20 Sukhoi 35 fighters from Moscow and its rapprochement with Russia.

Senators Pompeo urged Sisi to reconsider the constitutional amendments currently under way in the country.

President Donald Trump Sissi is scheduled to meet today for a working lunch. A senior administration official said a joint press conference was not expected.

A US administration official said talks between the two presidents would focus on combating terrorism and the economy, as well as the Christian minority in Egypt.

He added that the US policy is still focused on the slogan "America first" and that Washington's own interests will be of the utmost importance in the relationship.

Last Friday, a White House statement said the two presidents would discuss "military and economic cooperation and counterterrorism as well as regional economic integration and Egypt's long-term role as a key to regional stability" without further details.

Sisi's visit is the seventh since he took power in the summer of 2014, and the meeting between him and Trump is the fifth of its kind since the latter's inauguration in January 2017.

The importance of Sisi's visit to the White House is in light of Egypt's readiness to referendum on proposed constitutional amendments - the end of this month - allowing the extension of the president's term until 2034 and placing the army above the state as protector of the constitution and the state's citizen.

The visit also comes near the announcement of the Trump peace plan (the deal of the century), which includes waiver of many of the constants of the Palestinian cause, such as Jerusalem and the right of return of refugees, according to media leaks.