Saudi King hails Al-Sisi's victory in Egypt's presidency

Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah hailed on Tuesday the victory of the Egyptian coup leader in the presidential elections, after he allegedly won 96 per cent of the votes, and called for a donor’s conference to help Egypt through its economic troubles.

In a telegram published by Saudi state news agency SPA and cited by Al-Quds newspaper, the King called Abdel Fatah Al-Sisi’s victory a “historic day and a new stage for Egypt”.

He said: “To the brothers and friends of Egypt … I invite all to a donor’s conference … to help [Egypt] overcome its economic crisis.”

The King also urged Al-Sisi to open up to the opposition, encouraging him to “accept the other opinion through a national dialogue with all parties whose hands have not been stained by the blood of the innocents,” referring to the Muslim Brotherhood and Egypt’s ousted President Mohamed Morsi, who is one of the group’s leaders and was blacklisted in Saudi Arabia.

Meanwhile, the King called for other countries, apparently referring to Qatar, not to interfere in Egypt’s internal affairs.

“I am urging our brothers and friends to avoid meddling in Egypt’s internal affairs. Egypt is the guardian of Arabism and Islam and anyone who harms the country harms Islam,” he said. “We will not allow anyone to harm Egypt,” he added.

Al-Quds reported that UAE President Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan also congratulated Al-Sisi in a message, which was published by the state news agency WAM.

“We congratulate you for this precious vote of confidence given to you by Egyptians amidst the challenges they face,” he said.

In the wake of the ouster of President Morsi, who was freely elected by the people, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Kuwait all pledged about $12 billion in support for the military coup to survive; however, Egypt’s financial situation has subsequently worsened and continues to suffer.