Qatar emir arrives in Egypt sealing end to three year Saudi-led rift

The emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, arrived in Egypt on 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, the UAE and Bahrain in breaking off relations with Qatar in June 2017, claiming that Qatar was supporting "terrorist" groups and had secret relations with Iran.

The four countries imposed a blockade which proved largely ineffective.

Qatar vehemently denied the charges and accused the blockading nations of trying to impose "hegemony".

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