SINGAPORE - Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security Teo Chee Hean has wrapped up a visit to Egypt that lasted from Monday (March 7) to Wednesday (March 9).

On Tuesday (March 8), Mr Teo called on Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. Mr Sisi said that he looked forward to hosting President Tony Tan Keng Yam later this year.

DPM Teo and Mr Sisi acknowledged the significant progress in bilateral relations between Egypt and Singapore since Mr Sisi's state visit last year, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said in a statement on Wednesday (March 9).

Mr Teo also called on Egyptian Prime Minister Sherif Ismail and was updated on economic developments in Egypt. Mr Teo also met with Minister of Interior Magdy Mohamed Abdel Ghaffar.

On Wednesday (March 9), Mr Teo called on Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayyeb, the Grand Imam of Al Azhar. They discussed the dangers posed by extremist ideologies, and Mr Teo welcomed Sheikh Tayyeb's proposal to explore the establishment of a centre in Singapore in collaboration with Al Azhar for Arabic learning and to promote a deeper understanding of Islam.

Mr Teo had a separate call on the Grand Mufti of Egypt, Sheikh Shawki Allam.

Mr Teo was accompanied by a delegation comprising Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Masagos Zulkifli, Senior Minister of State for Defence and Foreign Affairs Maliki Osman, Minister of State for National Development and Trade and Industry Koh Poh Koon, and Parliamentary Secretary for Home Affairs Amrin Amin.

They also held a dialogue session with Singaporean students in Egypt. Mr Teo will leave for Singapore this evening local time.