King Salman begins Egypt visit in boost for Sisi

The two heads of state are expected to sign investment agreements on Friday amounting to about US$1.7 billion (Dh6.2bn).

Egyptian president Abdel Fattah El Sisi and Saudi Arabia's King Salman review the honour guards in Cairo on April 7, 2016. Saudi Press Agency/Handout via Reuters

CAIRO // Saudi Arabia’s King Salman began a five-day visit to Cairo on Thursday in a show of support for Egyptian president Abdel Fattah El Sisi.

Riyadh has been the key backer of Mr El Sisi since the then-army chief overthrew his predecessor, Mohammed Morsi, in 2013..

It has already pumped billions of dollars in aid and investment into Egypt’s battered economy, and the two heads of state are expected to sign more investment agreements on Friday amounting to about US$1.7 billion (Dh6.2bn).

Mr El Sisi greeted King Salman with a red-carpet welcome and a kiss on Thursday as the 80-year-old monarch descended from his jumbo jet on an escalator, flanked by lancers and dozens of Saudi and Egyptian officials.

Two children in Saudi dress were held up to the king, who later headed to the presidential palace for a troop review kicked off with howitzer fire.

The two men met again later in the day and were also due to meet on Friday, when they are expected to sign 14 agreements, including a $1.5 billion deal to invest in the volatile Sinai Peninsula, where an ISIL affiliate has a stronghold.

King Salman and Mr El Sisi are also expected to sign a deal to provide Egypt with $20 billion worth of oil products over five years,

During the visit, the two men will discuss further developing military cooperation and other issues, with King Salman expected to address the Egyptian parliament on Sunday.

Egyptian media gave full coverage of the Saudi king’s visit, with state television welcoming him to his “second country” and playing celebratory music as his plane touched down in Cairo.

“This is the first official visit by King Salman, whose valuable and honourable positions in support of Egypt and its people will never be forgotten,” the presidency said.

After King Salman met Mr El Sisi, the leaders sought “a qualitative transformation in the brotherly and historical bonds that tie the two nations”, the presidency added.

Saudi Arabia has played a key role in propping up Egypt’s economy, whose vital tourism industry has been devastated by years of political turmoil and extremist attacks.

Last year Riyadh pledged more than $8 billion to Egypt in sectors such as tourism, agriculture and information technology.

* Agence France-Presse, with additional reporting by Associated Press