Egypt, Saudi sign pact to boost military ties

Egypt and Saudi Arabia have signed a pact to boost military and economic ties, reflecting a warming of relations between the two since the ousting of President Morsi in 2013.
2 min read
31 July, 2015
Relations have warmed between Egypt and Saudi Arabia since 2013 [Anadolu]

Egypt and Saudi Arabia signed a pact in Cairo Thursday aimed at boosting military and economic ties between the two Arab allies.

Relations have warmed since the 2013 ouster of Islamist President Mohamed Morsi, with Saudi Arabia offering billions in aid to Egypt and Cairo participating in a Saudi-led bombing campaign against Iran-backed rebels in Yemen.

On Thursday, a Saudi delegation led by Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman visited Cairo and signed the "Cairo Declaration". He also attended a military parade with President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.

"The two sides stressed the need to exert all efforts to boost security and stability in the region, and to work together to protect Arab national security," Sisi's office said after the signing.

Riyadh has emerged as a key supporter of Sisi since the then army chief ousted Morsi two years ago, offering $4 billion (3.7 billion euros) to help kick-start an economy battered by years of political turmoil.

Egypt has also backed Riyadh's air campaign against Shia rebels in Yemen, regularly saying it shares a common vision with Riyadh on tackling the crisis there.

Cairo has previously said it would be prepared to commit ground troops if required.

The new Cairo-Riyadh pact also backs building a new joint Arab military force to fight terrorism in the region.

On 27 August, Arab defence and foreign ministers are meeting in Cairo to discuss the modalities of the force.

Sisi has strongly advocated such a force to fight jihadists in the region after the Islamic State group claimed in February the beheading in Libya of 21 Coptic Christians, all but one of them Egyptian.