HISTORIC FIRST VISIT OF IRAN'S PRESIDENT TO EGYPT: MORSI ROLLS OUT THE RED CARPET

HISTORIC FIRST VISIT OF IRAN'S PRESIDENT TO EGYPT: MORSI ROLLS OUT THE RED CARPET

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Amidst growing turmoil in the background, Egypt's president Morsi is hosting the OIC, the Organization for Islamic Cooperation, which begins on Wednesday, an important event. 

On the occasion, one of the attendees is Iran's president who arrived yesterday to great fanfare in Egypt.  President Morsi received the Iranian premier with a great show of solidarity, complete with a red carpet and a kiss on the cheek.

For his part, President Ahmadinejad has pronounced loudly that this is a new dawn in the Egypt-Iran relationship, and that he looks forward to a new relationship with Egypt's beleaguered government.

In the past, Egypt, a predominantly Sunni country, has been at odds with Iran over policy.  Iran is in fact, predominantly Shi'a.  However, the Iranian president cautioned that any improvement in the relationship will have much to do with the resolution of the Syrian question.

This is a very clear attempt at re-directing Egypt's policy in regards to Syria, a clear Iranian ally.  In fact Syria had been suspended from the OIC on the occasion of its last summit.   

Although relations have improved between Iran and Egypt after the election of an Islamist leader, the old regime's acceptance of the late Shah of Iran in exile is still a sore spot in the Iranian mind.

This warming of the relationship however, poses some onerous questions especially in light of the unraveling Syrian conflict.  In fact Egypt is still at odds with Iran over Syria, with Egypt supporting the revolt and Iran strongly supporting the Assad regime, as always. 

The dynamic between the two countries will also inevitably influence the dynamics of the middle east in the future.  To that point Ahmadinejad boldly announced that he would like to visit the Gaza strip.  When asked if he would do it during the OIC meeting, he responded that he '..would do one better.  That he wants to pray in Jerusalem and if allowed travel from there to the Gaza strip".  

An unlikely scenario, given that Iran is a sworn enemy of Isreal and does not recognize its sovereignty.

Source : Al Jazeera 2.5.13

Photo: Getty Images