PARIS, France - Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi arrived in Saudi Arabia’s Jeddah on Thursday to participate in the 32nd Arab Summit, which will be held on Friday.
El-Sisi was received by Prince Badr bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, deputy governor of Mecca, and Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Aboul Gheit at King Abdulaziz International Airport.
The Egyptian president will join other Arab leaders in discussing the latest developments and challenges facing the region, as well as ways to enhance joint Arab action and cooperation.
The summit will also witness the return of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to the Arab League after more than a decade of suspension over his regime’s crackdown on anti-government protests that turned into a civil war.
Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz had sent an invitation to Assad to attend the summit, which was accepted by the Syrian leader.
Egypt has been supportive of the Syrian reconciliation efforts and has called for restoring Syria’s membership in the Arab League.
El-Sisi’s participation in the summit comes as part of Egypt’s keenness to strengthen and develop relations with Arab States and to play a constructive role in advancing the interests and stability in the region.
