The president of the Republic, His Excellency, Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh has arrived in the Egyptian capital Cairo where he is attending a two-day summit of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

The Gambian leader is accompanied by a high-ranking delegation comprising the minister of Presidential Affairs who is also the Secretary General and head of the Civil Service, Dr. Njogou Bah; the minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad, Susan Waffa-Ogoo; the minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, Abdou Kolley; and Kebba Touray, the minister of Trade, Regional Integration and Employment.

The theme of the 12th Summit of the OIC is; "The Muslim world: New challenges and expanding opportunities".

Leaders of the bloc during the coming two days will review the reports and recommendations of its Bureau and discuss a number of issues confronting the Islamic Ummah, especially the conflicts in the Middle East and Mali.

The conflict in Syria and Israel's continued occupation of Palestinian territory are, however, expected to dominate the discussions.