King Salman bin Abdulaziz hosted President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi on Tuesday in the transnational investment megacity and project dubbed Neom, in a surprise visit. According to Saudi outlets, Salman met Al-Sisi in attendance of several princes and Saudi officials. The Saudi Foreign Ministry said that the two leaders discussed several issues that are of common interest to the two countries. This meetings come a day after Al-Sisi hosted embattled Yemeni President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi in Cairo, where they addressed securing the international trade flow through the Bab El-Mandeb strait against Houthi rebels, who repeatedly attacked oil shipments, since the beginning of the war in Yemen. Saudi media said that Salman has arrived on 30 July for a holiday in Neom, which is still under development. Egypt has committed more than 1,000 sqm in South Sinai to be included within Neom. The investment deal came as Egypt and Saudi Arabia seek to enhance political and economic ties. In March, Al-Sisi and Saudi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman set up a $10bn joint fund to develop lands in Sinai. Egypt will focus on developing the existing resorts of Sharm El-Sheikh and Hurghada, while the kingdom plans to build seven cities and tourism projects, as well as provide funding for the Egyptian portion of Neom..n… n
