The head of Egypt's ruling military council said his country needs to have good relations with the United States.

Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi made his remarks during a meeting with members of Egypt's government Sunday.

The statement could be a move to ease the current crisis with the U.S. Egypt is preparing to place 19 Americans, including the son of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, on trial for encouraging unrest in their country.
    
Meanwhile, Egyptian police arrested an American student and an Australian journalist over the weekend.
    
The new arrests come after the White House and Congress warned that the U.S. may cut its foreign aid to Egypt - about $1.5 billion a year.