Saturday, June 21, 2014

Saudi King Leaves Egypt Following Brief and Unusual Visit
Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi with Saudi King
Abdullah.
Ahram Online, MENA, Saturday 21 Jun 2014

Egypt's newly elected President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi boarded the plane of the Saudi monarch for meeting, contrary to diplomatic tradition

Saudi King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz left Egypt Friday night following a brief visit, where the monarch did not leave his plane in Cairo's International Airport.

Egypt's newly elected President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi boarded the plane to meet with the monarch, contrary to diplomatic tradition of meeting visitors on exit from their planes with a ceremonial event, such as a military parade.

King Abdullah stopped in Cairo on the way to Saudi Arabia from Morocco, where he was on vacation.

In a press conference following the visit, Egypt's presidential spokesman Ehab Badawi said the two leaders discussed bilateral relations between the two countries, state-owned MENA news agency reported.

The leaders also discussed the "Friends of Egypt" conference, called for by the Saudi king in an effort to support Egypt's economy in the upcoming period.

Saudi Arabia is a major supporter of El-Sisi's presidency and the ouster of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi. The monarchy has been supporting Egypt financially with millions of dollars in financial aid since Morsi's ouster last July.

For his part, El-Sisi affirmed the feelings of appreciation and affection felt by Egypt's leadership, people and state towards Saudi Arabia. He added that Egypt will ascend to its proper stature with the help of its sister states, led by Saudi Arabia.

Egyptian Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahlab, Minister of Defence Sedky Sobhi, Minister of Finance Hany Kadry and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry attended the meeting.

Saudi officials present included Ambassador to Egypt Ahmed Kattan, Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Saud Al-Faisal, Minister of Finance Ibrahim Bin Abdulaziz Al-Assaf.

http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/104300.aspx

No comments: