Egyptian authorities have set up a special passport gate at Cairo International Airport for passengers from African Union countries.

The move is in compliance with an order by President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi to facilitate entry procedures for citizens of African countries as an expression of solidarity, the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

A special committee has been formed to follow up on the implementation of the president's directives.

Egypt is preparing to chair the African Union for one year starting January 2019. Earlier this year, African leaders in Addis Ababa elected President El-Sisi as chairman of the African Union's upcoming 31st session.