Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen has visited the Kenyan capital of Nairobi, where he met with his Kenya's counterpart Alfred Mutua and other African leaders, Israel's Foreign Ministry said.
According to the ministry, Cohen's visit was aimed at bolstering Israel's relations with Africa in response to Iranian President Raisi's three-country tour of the continent that was marked by the signing of a number of agreements to boost bilateral cooperation.
"The diplomatic visit to Nairobi is of regional and strategic importance amid Iran's attempts to expand its influence on the continent," Cohen said.
The minister described Kenya as a key ally of Israel in East Africa and noted that cooperation in cyber defense and the expansion of charter flights between Israel and Kenya during the tourist season are on the bilateral agenda.
Israel's top diplomat also commended Kenyan President William Ruto for his efforts to "strengthen Israel's position on the continent" and to "open doors for Israel" in countries with which it does not has diplomatic relations.
While in Kenya, Cohen reportedly met with the leader of an unnamed African country that does not have diplomatic relations with Israel on the sidelines of the African Union's fifth Mid-Year coordination meeting.
Israel's Foreign Ministry, according to the local media, is working to normalize relations with Niger, Mali and Mauritania, which recognize the state but do not have diplomatic relations with it. At the same time, Libya, Algeria, Djibouti and Somalia do not recognize the state of Israel.