Egypt Signs Agreement with UAE to Build New Capital East of Cairo

Egypt signed an agreement on Saturday worth $45 billion with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to build the country’s new capital. Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi and UAE Vice President and the ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Makhtoum witnessed the signing of the agreement in the Egypt’s Red Sea resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh. (Xinhua, 14 March)

The new 70,000-acre capital will be established to the east of Cairo. The first phase involves construction of a downtown city, office towers and hotels along with commercial areas and a stadium. Other parts of the city will house the presidential palace, government ministries and diplomatic missions, as well a large exposition complex.

Photo credit (top): Model of Egypt’s proposed new capital east of Cairo (Xinhua/Twitter)
Map credit: RT.com

Ahmadinejad in Egypt on Historic Visit

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has arrived in Cairo today to attend the 12th summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Ahmadinejad was welcomed by Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi. This is the first visit to Egypt by an Iranian president. 

Photo credit:

Top: Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi (R), meets with Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Cairo International Airport. 5 February 2013. (Egyptian Presidency/Reuters)

Middle: Egypt's President Mohamed Morsi greets an Iranian delegates next to Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (R) after he arrives at International Airport in Cairo. 5 February 2013. (Egyptian Presidency/Reuters)

Bottom: Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, center, and Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi, center right, participate in an arrival ceremony at the airport in Cairo. 5 February 2013 (Egyptian Presidency/AP)

Iran Suggests Cairo for Nuclear Talks with World Powers

Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi has proposed Cairo as the venue for the meeting between Iran and the six world powers to discuss Iran’s nuclear program. 

“When I was in Egypt ... it was suggested that the next meeting be held in Cairo. This issue was welcomed by our dear friends in Egypt and Egypt will consult with the P5+1 for hosting this meeting,” Salehi said on Wednesday (ISNA/Reuters, 23 January)

The last round of negotiations between Iran and P5+1 was held in June 2012 in Moscow. The date and venue for the next meeting have yet to be set.

UPDATE: Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday that he was confident the world powers will hold new talks with Tehran, but that a venue had not yet been agreed.

“The talks will take place, I am convinced of that. Now technical questions are being agreed, including on the site of the meeting,” Lavrov said. (Reuters, 23 January)

File photo: Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi in Cairo. 10 January 2013. (REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany)