El Sisi speaks to Russia’s Putin, South Africa’s Zuma

President Abdel Fattah El Sisi discussed increasing military, trade, and transportation cooperation with Russian President Vladimir Putin in a phone call yesterday, Ittihadiya said in a statement. The phone call comes after the two countries signed an agreement to use each other’s airspace and air bases for warplanes, which El Sisi had reportedly approved last month. Regional developments, including the situation in Palestine and Libya, also came up during the call.

Separately, El Sisi also spoke to South African President Jacob Zuma about improving ties.