Riyadh supports Egypt’s ‘war on terror’: Salman

Viola Fahmy

CAIRO: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Tuesday expressed his country’s support for Egypt’s “war against terrorism”.

Bin Salman, who will wrap up a three-day visit to Egypt on Tuesday evening, made the remarks at a meeting in Cairo with Egyptian Prime Minister Sherif Ismail.

According to an Egyptian Cabinet statement released after the meeting, the two men also stressed the importance of enhancing bilateral ties and consulting each other on issues of mutual concern.

Bin Salman’s visit to Egypt, the statement asserted, “gives fresh impetus to our existing relations and provides new scope for economic cooperation and increased trade exchanges”.

Bin Salman arrived in Cairo on Monday for his first visit abroad since his appointment as crown prince in June of last year. Before his appointment, Bin Salman visited Egypt on four separate occasions (three times in 2015 and once in 2016) following Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s assumption of the Egyptian presidency in mid-2014.

Saudi Arabia has remained Egypt’s biggest supporter — politically and economically — since the Egyptian army ousted Mohamed Morsi, Egypt’s first freely elected president, in a 2013 coup led by al-Sisi.

Since the coup, Egyptian security forces have fought an armed insurgency led by militant groups based in the Sinai Peninsula. (AA)