Sudan has denied reports it has “frozen” diplomatic ties with Egypt, Sudan’s Foreign Affairs Ministry said, according to the Sudan News Agency. The rumors began circulating after claims that Egypt voted in the UN against revoking economic sanctions imposed on the Sudan. Ties between Egypt and Sudan are going through “a crisis” because of the issues surrounding the Halayeb Triangle and Egypt’s “restrictions” on Sudanese miners there, Sudan’s Foreign Affairs Ministry had said earlier this month.

The UK trade delegation headed by trade envoy Sir Jeffrey Donaldson met yesterday with Oil Minister Tarek El Molla to primarily discuss ongoing projects in oil and gas in Egypt and windows for further investments in the sector, Al Shorouk reports. The delegation also met with Housing Minister Mostafa Madbouly to discuss housing and infrastructure projects, particularly in the new administrative capital and the New Alamein City, according to Al Mal. The meetings followed one with Prime Minister Sherif Ismail, where Donaldson assured that he had been making significant efforts promoting investments in Egypt in a number of UK cities,according to a cabinet statement.

President Abdel Fattah El Sisi met yesterday with Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, according to an Ittihadiya statement (pdf). The two agreed on the importance of Arab cooperation in the fight against terrorism, “particularly with regard to halting the funding of terrorism, providing arms and fighters, and offering safe haven and political and media coverage for them.” This is more than likely a reference to a pariah statelet which rhymes with Tartar. El Sisi, who was in the UAE for a two-day visit, also attended Al Nahyan’s weekly council meeting (pdf), which was focused on security and regional stability. The National also has coverage.