EGYPT-UAE GETTING CLOSER AFTER COUP
The countries are undertaking joint military training exercises in the Gulf emirate, Egypt’s Ahramonline quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting, Wednesday (12/3).
Egyptian army chief Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi arrived in the UAE on Tuesday, where he met his Emirati counterpart, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan.
The UAE who supports the interim government after ousting Morsi, has provided Egypt with almost $7 billion in grants, loans and oil shipments.
El-Sisi’s visit is for “purely military reasons,” Ali said in comments reported by Saudi-owned newspaper Al-Sharq Al-Awsat.
The UAE and Saudi Arabia have given strong economic and political support to Egypt, especially since Mohamed Morsi’s ouster, Ali said.
On Sunday, the Egyptian military announced a joint plan with UAE construction company Arabtec for a $40 billion project to build one million housing units in Egypt.
The announcement was accompanied by photos of El-Sisi discussing the project with Arabtec’s managing director Hassan Abdullah Smeik.
El-Sisi, a popular figure for many Egyptians, is widely expected to announce his candidacy in presidential elections due to take place this spring.
(T/P03/E01)
Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)
