A handout picture released by the Egyptian presidency on June 20, 2014, shows Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi (L) meeting with Saudi King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz (R) at Cairo airport on June 20, 2014. (AFP Photo)
Cairo, Asharq Al-Awsat—Saudi King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz paid a visit to Cairo on Friday to meet with Egypt’s newly elected President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi. The two leaders discussed the latest developments in the Arab world and the prospects of increased bilateral cooperation between Riyadh and Cairo.
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, arrived in Cairo on Friday evening as part of a short official visit to Egypt, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.
At Cairo International Airport, he was received by Egyptian President Abdul-Fattah El-Sisi, who boarded the King’s airplane accompanied by Egyptian Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahlab, Defense Minister Sedqi Sobhi and Finance Minister Hani Dimian. SPA reported that the Egyptian delegation welcomed King Abdullah to his “second homeland.”
The Saudi monarch was accompanied by a number of senior officials, including Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal and Finance Minister Ibrahim Al-Assaf, among others.
King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Egyptian President Abdul-Fattah El-Sisi held a meeting on the plane, during which the King reiterated his congratulations to the Egyptian president on his election, wishing him all success in the future.
The Egyptian president expressed his thanks and appreciation to King Abdullah for his noble feelings and stances supporting the integrity, stability and unity of Egypt and its people, saying that Egypt will never forget the King’s efforts.
The two leaders discussed the overall issues and developments on the Arab, Islamic and international levels, in addition to the future prospects of bilateral cooperation between the two fraternal countries.
In comments to Asharq Al-Awsat, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shokri hailed King Abdullah’s visit to Cairo, saying it came within the framework of the strong fraternal ties between the two countries.
Shokri said that Egyptians appreciate and value the historic assistance Saudi Arabia has provided to their country, adding that the “consultations” between the Saudi King and Egyptian president will prove vital to the future of the region.