​Somalia: President Farmajo in Egypt for state visit amid Gulf crisis

CAIRO, Egypt - Somali President, Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo has arrived in Cairo on Sunday for a two-day state visit to Egypt, after he received an official invitation from his counterpart El-Sisi, Garowe Online reports.

President Farmajo, along with a delegation of top government officials, including several Ministers and Federal lawmakers was received by Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi at Cairo International Airport late on Sunday.

After the cordial welcome, Somali President was then escorted to Ittihadiya, the presidential palace in Cairo, where the two leaders took a salute from a detachment of the Egyptian Defence Forces.

Farmajo and El-Sisi held a meeting focused on ways to enhance bilateral relations between the two countries, and promote cooperation in the fields of Education, economic prosperity and Immigration.

They also discussed the start of direct flight between Cairo and Mogadishu by the EgyptAir, increase scholarships offered by Egypt and facilitate travelers with Somalia's diplomatic, and service passports.

A statement released by the Somali Presidency said, the two leaders have agreed on all issues that they discussed during their talks on Sunday, while Somali ministers also met with their Egyptian counterparts.

Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi reaffirmed Cairo's unwavering support for Somalia to build the institutions of the state, especially the Somali National Army (SNA), the presidential statement read.

President Farmajo's visit to Cairo comes amid Gulf crisis after Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Bahrain, cut diplomatic ties with Qatar in June and pushing Somalia sever relation with Doha.

GAROWEONLINE