Qatar Emir's first official visit to Cairo in a decade boosts ties with Egypt

Leaders discuss expanding bilateral relations and US President Joe Biden's visit to the Middle East

Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, left, met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi in Cairo on June 25. Egyptian Presidency

It was the Qatari emir's first visit to Egypt in seven years and follows the restoration of diplomatic ties between the two countries last year. AP

Sheikh Tamim, left, pictured with Mr El Sisi, last visited Egypt in 2015. Egyptian Presidency

The two leaders met for the first time since the dispute at a summit in Iraq last year. Egyptian Presidency

Sheikh Tamim, left, and Mr El Sisi. Egyptian Presidency

Sheikh Tamim, left, and Mr El Sisi. EPA

Sheikh Tamim, left, and Mr El Sisi. EPA

Egypt and Qatar on Saturday sealed their reconciliation, with the leaders of the two Arab nations meeting in Cairo for talks that focused on expanding bilateral relations and the forthcoming visit to the Middle East by US President Joe Biden.

Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim arrived in Cairo on Friday for his first official visit to Egypt since 2013.

In January last year, Egypt joined Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain in restoring diplomatic relations with Doha following a dispute which began in 2017.

In March this year, Qatar announced the investment of $5 billion in Egypt to help the most populous Arab nation weather the damaging fallout of the Ukraine war.

“The two leaders agreed to develop bilateral relations in all fields, especially agriculture and energy,” the Egyptian presidency said in a statement on Saturday.

“The two sides also welcomed the forthcoming summit hosted by the kingdom of Saudi Arabia between the US and leaders of the Gulf Co-operation Council, Iraq, Egypt and Jordan.”

The Qatari emir’s visit to Egypt comes amid a leadership-level flurry of diplomatic activity ahead of this meeting.

It is less than a week since a visit to Egypt by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the announcement of deals worth $7.7 billion between the two nations.

This months, Mr El Sisi hosted the kings of Bahrain and Jordan at the Red Sea resort city of Sharm El Sheikh.

On Saturday, the official Oman news agency said the Egyptian leader will fly to Muscat on Monday at the start of a two-day visit.