Report: Sisi’s failures hamper relations with Saudi Arabia

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi’s failures to fulfil many of his promises on the ground have been the main cause of turmoil with Saudi Arabia, a new report said.

The report published by German Die Zeit newspaper highlighted the stages of dispute between the two countries which began in October 2016 when Egypt accepted the Russian draft resolution on the Syrian crisis in the UN Security Council and which was opposed by Saudi Arabia at the time.

“Saudi Arabia’s rejection of the proposal brings us to the second point of disagreement which contributed to increasing the tension. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia supports the Syrian opposition and stands against the Syrian regime President, Bashar al-Assad, at a time when Egypt hints at the possibility of accepting Bashar staying in power,” the report said.

The newspaper added that all these positions have led to straining relations between the two countries, but delaying the delivery of the Red Sea islands of Tiran and Sanafir to Saudi Arabia has contributed to increasing the gap between the two countries leading to Saudi Arabia halting oil exports to Egypt.

The newspaper said that Saudi Arabia wants actions not words from Al-Sisi.

The paper called on Egypt and Saudi Arabia to find a way to preserve the historical relationship that linked them over the past years.