President Abdel Fattah El Sisi met yesterday with Sudanese President Omar Al Bashir in Sharm El Sheikh on the sidelines of the World Youth Forum, according to an Ittihadiya statement. The two leaders touched on enhancing bilateral relations in fields of electricity and transportation, as well as boosting economic cooperation and trade. The two also discussed political issues of mutual interest and issues challenging the Arab region. El Sisi also met with the UAE’s head of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Court Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Oman’s Foreign Minister Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah.

El Sisi also addressed regional politics and Egypt’s stance on several issues during his speech at the forum yesterday. The president vowed to mobilize Egypt’s army to protect allies in the Gulf if their security comes under direct threat, and stressed the need for Arab countries to remain united for stability purposes, according to Youm7. He also called for the lifting of a UN embargo on the Libyan army to allow it to “strengthen its capabilities” and bring an end to the country’s instability, according to Libyan Express.