Egypt-Saudi Arabia Talks Focus On Security

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Regional security was the focus of Saudi-Egypt summit talks in Jeddah on Wednesday as Egyptian President Muhammad Mursi reaffirmed his country’s support for Gulf security.

“The security of Gulf, especially Saudi Arabia, is part and parcel of the security of Egypt and the Middle East,” the president said after talks with Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah.

Mursi said his talks with King Abdullah were “fruitful and constructive,” adding that it would benefit people of both
countries.

“King Abdullah’s talks were in the interest of the future as well as in the interest of the region and Egypt. The talks reflected his wisdom, knowledge and love for the Egyptian people,” he said. “I felt this love in his every word and action.”

Mursi, who arrived here Wednesday evening at the head of a high-level delegation, said he wanted his first foreign visit after becoming president to Saudi Arabia, “the land of divine revelations and the land that brings together hearts.”

The president underscored the deep-rooted historic relations between Saudi Arabia and Egypt. He expressed his love of Saudi Arabia, its people, kings and princes and commended the good work done by its leaders and people.

He said his talks with King Abdullah covered major issues, adding that the discussions were in the interest of the region and its stability and in the interest of Saudis and Egyptians.

According to the Saudi Press Agency, King Abdullah congratulated Mursi on his election as president of Egypt and wished him all success in carrying out his duties, and serving his religion, nation and the Ummah.

Mursi thanked the king for inviting him to visit Saudi Arabia and extending generous hospitality. He told the king that the Egyptians hold him in high esteem and admire his efforts in the service of the Arab and Muslim Ummah.

“The Saudi-Egyptian summit talks covered prospects of expanding cooperation between the two countries as well as major regional and international developments,” SPA said.

Asked about his meeting with Prince Salman, Mursi said it was for completing our discussions on some important issues.
Prince Salman expressed his optimism about the future of Saudi-Egypt relations. “What President Mursi has said is also the opinion of King Abdullah, Saudi Arabia and its people.”

Mursi later arrived in Madinah where he was received by Gov. Prince Abdul Aziz bin Majed and top officials. Earlier in the day he performed Umrah in Makkah before meeting Egyptian community members in Jeddah.

Addressing the Egyptian community, he said his talks with King Abdullah and Crown Prince Salman were fruitful. “We have discussed all issues that serve the interests of the two governments and peoples, reflecting the depth of our historic relations,” the president said. He expected greater cooperation between the two countries in various sectors in the near future.
Many politicians and economic analysts believe President Mursi’s visit to Saudi Arabia is of special significance because it supports the commonalities of the two nations and the longstanding historic relations whose foundations were laid by King Abdul Aziz in 1926.
Egypt hosts more than 700,000 Saudi family members who reside there, or are sent by the Saudi government to study in the country. Saudi Arabia has around 1.7 million Egyptians who work in different domains.

Arab News

Arab News is Saudi Arabia's first English-language newspaper. It was founded in 1975 by Hisham and Mohammed Ali Hafiz. Today, it is one of 29 publications produced by Saudi Research & Publishing Company (SRPC), a subsidiary of Saudi Research & Marketing Group (SRMG).

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