he emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, arrived in Egypt Friday, 18 months after the two countries restored relations to end a Saudi-led rift of more than three years.

President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi welcomed the emir at Cairo airport on his first visit in seven years, Sisi’s office said.

Egypt had joined Saudi Arabia and its Gulf allies in breaking off relations with Qatar in June 2017, citing its support for the Muslim Brotherhood and alleged soft line on Iran.

Relations were not restored until January last year, after Riyadh and Doha mended ties.