Egypt’s President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi received on Thursday Abu-Dhabi Crown Prince and Vice Commander of the armed forces Shiekh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The two leaders held a meeting at Al-Ittihadeya presidential palace in Cairo, followed by another meeting that included officials from both countries.

"During the meeting, President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi stressed the exceptional bilateral relation between the two countries, renewing Egypt’s commitment to stand next to the brothers in the UAE against any regional threats," presidential spokesperson Alaa Youssef said.

For his part, Bin Zayed stressed his country’s unshakable supportive for Egypt in light of the special relations that bind the two countries.

“The relation between Egypt and Arab Gulf countries is the corner stone of stability and security in the region," Bin Zayed said.

The UAE, a key ally of Egypt, has propped up Cairo economically since the 2013 ouster of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi.