Essam Sharaf, Egypt’s interim prime minister, will start touring Arab Gulf countries on Sunday, including the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar.

Originally, Sharaf planned to visit the Emirates, but this has been postponed as officials from Dubai and Abu Dhabi will be abroad and unavailable to meet. That leg of the trip was regrouped with another, later tour that includes Oman and Bahrain.

Saudi Arabia’s ambassador, Ahmed El-Qetan, has welcomed Sharaf’s visit and emphasised its importance as the first and stressed that the meeting’s aim will be to strengthen relations on all levels and to discuss several future projects.