Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi visited the United Arab Emirates on Thursday to show support to the Gulf state after Iranian attacks, Anadolu Agency reports.
Sisi was welcomed by UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan upon arrival at Abu Dhabi International Airport, the Egyptian presidency said in a statement.
The Egyptian leader affirmed Egypt’s solidarity with the UAE and stressed Cairo’s support for the country’s security and stability and its complete rejection of Iranian attacks on Emirati sovereignty.
“These attacks constitute a blatant violation of the principles of international law and the UN Charter, and a grave escalation that threatens the security and stability of the region and the world at large,” Sisi said, underlining the necessity of intensifying efforts to resolve the current crisis through dialogue and diplomacy.
Sheikh Mohammed, for his part, expressed appreciation for Sisi and stressed the UAE’s keenness to continue coordination with Egypt, the presidency said.
READ: UAE president receives solidarity calls after attacks from Iran
The two leaders also discussed ways to advance bilateral relations in various fields, especially trade and investment, and to intensify consultations on regional crises “in a way that preserves the unity and integrity of states and protects their peoples’ resources,” the statement said.
The UAE reported two days of drone and missile attacks from Iran earlier this week, though Tehran denied conducting any strikes on the Emirati territory.
Regional tensions have escalated since the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran on Feb. 28, triggering retaliation from Tehran and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.
A ceasefire took effect on April 8 through Pakistani mediation, but talks in Islamabad failed to produce a lasting agreement. The truce was later extended by US President Donald Trump without a set deadline.
Since April 13, the US has enforced a naval blockade targeting Iranian maritime traffic in the strategic waterway.
READ: Iran denies attacking UAE, warns of ‘decisive response’ if strikes launched from its territory