Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi conducted a brief but significant tour on Thursday to the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, underscoring Egypt’s full support for Gulf allies as regional tensions continue to escalate.
According to the Egyptian presidency’s official spokesperson, the visits each lasting several hours, were aimed at expressing solidarity with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states and reaffirming Egypt’s firm rejection of attacks targeting their territories and security.
President Sisi began his tour in the United Arab Emirates, where he was received in Abu Dhabi by Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The two leaders held a closed-door bilateral meeting focused on recent developments in the region, particularly rising security concerns linked to ongoing hostilities involving Iran.
During the meeting, Sisi reiterated Egypt’s unwavering support for the UAE, emphasizing that Gulf security is an integral part of Egypt’s national security. He strongly condemned what he described as unjustified attacks on Gulf states, stressing Cairo’s readiness to provide all necessary support to safeguard regional stability.
The Egyptian president also outlined Cairo’s ongoing diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the situation, noting that Egypt has conveyed clear messages to Tehran asserting that Gulf countries are not parties to the conflict and should not be targeted. He called for an immediate halt to hostilities and a return to negotiations as the only viable path toward resolving the crisis.
For his part, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed welcomed the visit, describing it as a reflection of the deep-rooted ties between the two nations. He expressed appreciation for Egypt’s consistent support and highlighted the importance of continued coordination to maintain regional peace and security.
Following his stop in the UAE, Sisi traveled to Doha, where he was received at Hamad International Airport by Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. The visit included an expanded meeting attended by delegations from both countries.
In talks with the Qatari leadership, President Sisi reaffirmed Egypt’s full backing for Qatar and other GCC nations in confronting security threats. He reiterated Cairo’s condemnation of attacks on Gulf territories and its support for measures taken by regional governments to protect their sovereignty.
The discussions also covered Egypt’s diplomatic outreach efforts, including communications with Iran aimed at reducing tensions and preventing further escalation. Sisi stressed the importance of prioritizing political and diplomatic solutions, warning against the risks of continued military confrontation.
Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani expressed appreciation for Egypt’s position and President Sisi’s proactive engagement since the onset of the crisis. He highlighted the strength of Egyptian-Qatari relations and emphasized Doha’s commitment to ongoing coordination with Cairo in pursuit of regional stability.
Both sides agreed to intensify consultations in the coming period to support de-escalation efforts and address shared regional challenges.
The visits also included an exchange of Eid al-Fitr greetings between the leaders, reflecting a spirit of unity amid a period of heightened uncertainty.
President Sisi returned to Cairo later Thursaday after concluding his tour, which Egyptian officials described as part of broader efforts to reinforce Arab coordination and prevent further deterioration in regional security.
