Egypt renewed its solidarity with Gulf states in the face of repeated Iranian attacks as President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi made another Gulf tour on Tuesday, visiting Qatar and Bahrain. Sisi said Egypt was making intensive efforts to preserve regional stability and reduce the current tensions and escalation, stressing the importance of resolving crises through peaceful means. Sisi visited Bahrain on Tuesday, where he was received upon arrival in Manama by King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and members of the Egyptian embassy. The Egyptian president reiterated his country’s support for the security and stability of Bahrain and condemned what he described as unjustified attacks on the kingdom’s territory. He said the attacks represented a flagrant violation of international law and a dangerous escalation threatening regional security and stability. Egyptian presidential spokesperson Mohamed el-Shennawy said Sisi had renewed Egypt’s rejection of any attempt to undermine the security and stability of Bahrain, Gulf Cooperation Council states or other Arab countries. Sisi affirmed Egypt’s full solidarity with those countries and said Cairo stood beside them in any measures they took to safeguard their sovereignty and protect their peoples’ resources. “The security of Arab states is an extension of Egyptian national security,” he said. During the visit, Sisi praised what he described as Bahrain’s wisdom under the leadership of King Hamad bin Isa in working to preserve regional stability. The Bahraini king welcomed Sisi to what he called his second home and expressed appreciation for Egypt’s support for Bahrain and the close fraternal relations between the two countries. He also praised Egypt’s support for the security and stability of GCC and Arab states, stressing the need for continued close consultation and coordination between Bahrain and Egypt to preserve regional peace and stability and confront common challenges. The two leaders discussed ways to continue joint efforts to reduce regional tensions and restore stability. Doha visit Sisi also visited Doha on Tuesday and met Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, offering his condolences over the death of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa. Sisi prayed that Qatar would be protected from harm and continue to enjoy security, stability and prosperity under Sheikh Tamim’s leadership. The Qatari emir expressed his deep appreciation for Sisi’s visit and condolences, highlighting the close ties between Egypt and Qatar and the historic bonds between their peoples. He said he hoped the Egyptian and Qatari sides would continue working to develop their relations and expand cooperation in the coming period. The Egyptian president has held several calls with Gulf leaders since the Iran war began on Feb. 28, during which he affirmed Egypt’s readiness to provide all possible forms of support to safeguard the security of the Gulf and the wider region. Sisi visited Saudi Arabia and Bahrain in March to express solidarity and condemn Iranian attacks against Arab states. He also made a Gulf tour that month that included the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, during which he reiterated the need for an immediate end to the escalation and a return to serious dialogue and diplomatic means to resolve outstanding regional disputes. In a related development, Egypt on Tuesday strongly condemned missile attacks targeting Saudi Arabia, saying they represented a dangerous escalation that threatened the kingdom’s security and territorial integrity and undermined efforts to reduce tensions and maintain regional security and stability. In a statement, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said it completely rejected all attacks targeting the security and sovereignty of Saudi Arabia or threatening the security and stability of countries in the region. It renewed Egypt’s full solidarity with the kingdom and said Cairo stood beside Riyadh in confronting any threat to its security or territorial integrity. Foreign Ministry condemnations In separate statements issued on Sunday, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry condemned Iranian attacks involving missiles and drones that targeted Oman, Jordan, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Cairo described the attacks as a dangerous development that violated the sovereignty of Arab and Gulf states and further heightened regional tensions. It stressed the need to prioritize political solutions and comply with international law in a manner that preserved regional security and stability. Egypt also condemned on Tuesday the targeting of two Emirati oil tankers as they passed through the Strait of Hormuz. It described the incident as a serious violation of international law and a direct threat to maritime security, navigational safety and the free movement of trade through one of the world’s most important waterways. Egypt said it rejected all acts targeting civilian vessels and facilities or endangering maritime security and global energy supplies. It called for compliance with international law and an end to practices that could inflame tensions and broaden the regional escalation. Cairo also expressed full solidarity with the United Arab Emirates and said it stood beside the country in confronting any threat to its security and interests.
