El-Sissi arrives for key Mideast talks

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sissi arrived in Jeddah on Sunday for talks with Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah on major regional and international issues, including Palestine, Syria and Iraq.

El-Sissi was welcomed by Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal, Deputy Crown Prince Muqrin, Makkah Gov. Prince Mishaal bin Abdullah and other senior officials upon arrival at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah.

Sources said King Abdullah and President El-Sissi was due to hold summit talks on Sunday night, adding that the meeting would cover important issues, including the fight against terror and extremism and the Israeli aggression on Gaza.

Egyptian Ambassador in Riyadh Afifi Abdul Wahab has emphasized the significance of the president’s visit, adding that it would strengthen the relations between the two leading Arab League countries and their coordination on various regional and international issues.

“The challenges facing the Arab national security will top the agenda of the summit talks in Jeddah,” the ambassador said, adding that the president would use the opportunity to thank King Abdullah for his courageous stance with Egypt during its difficult times.

Saudi Arabia hosts close to three million Egyptian expatriate workers.

This community is the supplier of the lion’s share of the foreign currency that the state amasses from expat remittances, the second largest source of foreign currency after the Suez Canal.

Saudi Arabia has pledged $4 billion to support the Egyptian economy.

Amr Moussa, former secretary-general of Arab League, stressed the importance of the Saudi-Egyptian summit talks.

“The worsening security situation in the Arab world demands such high-level meetings and I am sure King Abdullah and President El-Sissi would discuss security and sectarian issues in the region,” he added.

Abdul Hameed Abumoussa, chairman of the Saudi-Egyptian Business Council, said the visit would accelerate the flow of Saudi investment to Egypt.

El-Sissi is accompanied by a high-level delegation, including Foreign Minister Samih Shukri and Hisham Al-Sharief, head of the presidential court.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sissi is (center) is welcomed on his arrival at the international airport in Jeddah by Deputy Crown Prince Muqrin (2nd right) and other officials and dignitaries. (SPA)

 
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