Israeli energy minister visits historical Cairo mosque

CAIRO (AA) - An Israeli official on Wednesday paid a rare visit to one of Cairo's most prominent mosques, according to Israel’s embassy in Egypt.

On its official Facebook page, the embassy published photos of Israeli Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz touring the Great Mosque of Mohamed Ali Pasha in Old Cairo’s historic citadel.

Steinitz arrived in Egypt earlier this week to take part in an energy conference attended by representatives of several East Mediterranean countries, including Israel.

"I am pleased to represent Israel and its government here in Cairo,” Steinitz was quoted as saying after the Monday meeting.

“This was the Egyptian government’s first invitation to an Israeli government minister since [Egypt’s] 2011 uprising," he added.

Egypt-Israel relations have warmed since Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi -- who has met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu more than once -- came to power in 2014.