Empty Seats of Gulf Leaders at Sharm El-Sheikh Summit Highlight Regional Rivalries

Kokcha News Agency: The Sharm El-Sheikh summit, co-hosted by U.S. President Donald Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, aimed to solidify and celebrate the Gaza ceasefire agreement. However, the conspicuous absence of Saudi Arabia’s Mohammed bin Salman and the UAE’s Mohammed bin Zayed highlighted underlying tensions in the region.

According to sources from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Egypt, the absence of these Gulf leaders was a deliberate signal that major Arab powers are determined not to let Egypt take center stage in regional diplomacy. The summit, held at the Red Sea resort, emphasized Egypt’s controversial role during Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.

Over the past two years, Cairo has often been the meeting ground for negotiators, with Egyptian officials acting as mediators alongside countries like Qatar. However, Egypt has also been criticized for its complicity in the blockade of Gaza, particularly after Israel closed the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula, contributing to the humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian territory.

As the wealthiest countries in the region, Saudi Arabia and the UAE are expected to shoulder a significant portion of the humanitarian aid and reconstruction costs for Gaza. Officials from both countries argue that they should have a greater say in shaping Gaza’s future.

An Egyptian diplomatic source told Middle East Eye: “Their absence sends a powerful message that both capitals, especially Riyadh, are dissatisfied with how Egypt has managed the Gaza issue.” While foreign leaders like Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, France’s Emmanuel Macron, and Britain’s Keir Starmer attended the summit, Arab representation was notably thin.

Oman, Syria, and Lebanon sent delegations without their top leaders. A Middle East security expert commented: “This was a diplomatic statement. It shows how fragmented the Arab world has become: torn between skepticism of the U.S. plan, fear of normalizing relations with Israel without justice for Palestinians, and the need to manage public anger while maintaining ties with the West.”

A Cairo-based analyst told Middle East Eye that “without a unified Arab stance, any agreement coming out of Sharm El-Shekih risks being seen as imposed from the outside, rather than as an initiative from the region.”

The analyst added: “This summit was supposed to put Egypt back at the forefront. But the empty seats of Gulf leaders tell a different story: one of pride, politics, and unfinished rivalries.”

An Egyptian diplomat close to the presidency told Middle East Eye that Riyadh and Abu Dhabi, by sending ministers instead of their leaders, “showed their reluctance to give Egypt a bigger stage or more credit.”

The diplomat said: “Egypt spent weeks in the international spotlight mediating indirect talks that led to a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. However, in Riyadh and Abu Dhabi, this attention has caused frustration. Both governments believe they deserve recognition for their role in brokering the deal, especially given their influence in Washington.”

Historically, Egypt has been a major Arab power due to its large, U.S.-backed military, massive population, relations with Israel, and strategic location in the Middle East and Africa, bordering Palestine. However, this position has weakened in recent decades as Gulf countries have grown wealthier and more influential, while Egypt’s economy has struggled.

Since Sisi came to power in a 2013 military coup that ousted Egypt’s first democratically elected president, Mohamed Morsi, Saudi Arabia and the UAE have been his key allies, providing significant economic and political support. This backing has been crucial, especially during periods of economic pressure. As a result, Egypt is seen in the Gulf as a junior partner.

According to Middle East Eye sources, Mohammed bin Salman has sought to position himself as the new peacemaker of the Arab world—a modern leader capable of bringing stability after years of regional turmoil. A Saudi source noted: “Instead, the spotlight turned to Cairo.”