CAIRO: President Vladimir Putin arrived on Monday in Egypt as Russia seeks to expand its reach in the Arab world’s most populous country at a time when Cairo-Washington ties remain frayed.

Putin’s first visit to Egypt in a decade comes after a 2011 popular uprising that ousted ex-strongman Hosni Mubarak, whom the leader met on his previous trip in 2005.

President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi welcomed Putin on arrival at Cairo’s international airport where the two leaders held talks for half an hour, officials said.

From the airport they proceeded to Cairo Opera House in the capital’s central district of Zamalek for a cultural evening.

Putin is a key non-Arab backer of Sisi, who faces harsh US criticism for his deadly crackdown on dissent since Islamist leader Mohamed Morsi was ousted by the then army chief in July 2013.

Experts say Putin’s visit is also aimed at showing that he is not isolated internationally, despite the crisis in Ukraine.

“The leaders will pay special attention to ramping up trade and economic ties between the two countries,” the Kremlin said ahead of the visit.They will hold formal talks on Tuesday and sign several agreements after which Putin and Sisi will hold a joint news conference, Sisi’s office said.

Published in Dawn, February 10th, 2015

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