In an official statement, the UAE Ambassador to Egypt and Permanent Representative to the Arab League, Mohammed bin Nakhira Al Dhahiri, denied all allegations that the UAE is imposing restrictions on the issue or renewal of residency permits for Egyptians living in the country. He emphasised that the relationship between the two countries were very strong at all levels. Rumours of such restrictions started to circulate earlier last week, when it was announced that the UAE had been taken off Egyptian Prime Minister Essam Sharaf's visit to the Gulf region. Ambassador Al Dhahiri explained that due to commitments on both sides, the visit has been postponed and not cancelled. He also indicated that a rescheduled date will be announced soon. Earlier on 25 April,Sharaf was received by Saudi Monarch King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz in the Royal Palace in Riyadh. This comes as the first stop in his four-day visit to the region, which sees him visiting Kuwait and Qatar in addition to Saudi Arabia.