UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan arrived in the Egyptian city of El Alamein on Sunday to discuss latest regional developments with President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. The two leaders discussed ongoing efforts to address developments in the Middle East and affirmed the importance of closer cooperation to safeguard regional security and stability, according to the Emirates News Agency (WAM).
High-Level Delegation Accompanies UAE President
Sheikh Mohamed visited Egypt with a high-level delegation, including Sheikh Nahyan bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, chairman of the Zayed for Good Foundation, as well as several ministers and officials. The visit underscores the strong bilateral ties between the UAE and Egypt, particularly in times of regional turbulence.
Regional Context: Tensions with Iran
The meeting comes as the UAE, along with Jordan, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and Oman, was targeted by Iranian missiles and drones as the conflict between Tehran and the US resumed last week. Except for Jordan, all of these countries border Iran along the Gulf and the Sea of Oman and are situated near Hormuz, a strait that has been mostly blocked for energy shipments since the US and Israel launched a military campaign against Iran on Feb. 28.
Iran has targeted civilian sites in the UAE cities of Dubai and Abu Dhabi several times since “Operation Epic Fury” started in February. The discussions in El Alamein are part of ongoing efforts to coordinate a collective response to these threats and to explore diplomatic avenues to de-escalate tensions.
Focus on Regional Security and Stability
According to WAM, the two presidents emphasized the need for enhanced cooperation to ensure regional security and stability. The talks also covered the broader implications of the conflict, including energy security and the humanitarian impact on civilian populations. The UAE and Egypt have historically played key roles in mediating regional disputes and promoting peace initiatives in the Middle East.
