The Egyptian presidency has announced that its president, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, embarked on a visit to the Sultanate of Oman and the Kingdom of Bahrain on 27 June for talks with the officials of both Arab states on ways to enhance Egypt–Gulf relations.

President Sisi’s two-nation Gulf tour will reportedly include efforts to counter attempts at interfering in the affairs of Arab states and the undermining of their security.

The Egyptian president arrived in Oman on 27 June, and was received by Sultan Haitham bin Tarik at the Gulf nation’s Royal Airport, according to media reports.

“The Egyptian president will discuss, during the tour, with Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, the close bilateral relations that bring Egypt and the Sultanate of Oman together, as well as consultation and coordination on various regional and international issues and crises of common interest during the current stage,” Egyptian presidential spokesman, Bassam Rady, said.

The Royal Court in Bahrain also issued a statement announcing that President Sisi will arrive in Manama with his delegation on 28 June, and will be received by King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa before beginning talks on bilateral relations, as well as regional and international developments.

President Sisi will discuss the crises that require “the unity of efforts to safeguard Arab national security,” the Egyptian presidential spokesman added.

The tour of the Egyptian president comes following his meetings with the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MbS) and King Abdullah II of Jordan over the past week.

On 26 June, President Sisi met with the UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, in the presidential palace in Cairo, and discussed relations and joint coordination between the two states.

The visits of President Sisi to Oman and Bahrain come just ahead of the upcoming visit by US President Joe Biden to Saudi Arabia next month, during which Jordan’s King Abdullah, Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi, a number of GCC leaders, as well as President Sisi, will all be present.

Biden’s upcoming visit to the kingdom, which many believed was meant to revolve around the fuel crisis battering western nations, will instead focus on the “national security” of Israel, the US president confirmed to reporters on 11 June.

Video: Biden reveals upcoming trip to Saudi Arabia is not about oil, but rather concerns Israel's "national security." pic.twitter.com/mll2hx69xM

— The Cradle (@TheCradleMedia) June 13, 2022