Egypt denies any tension with Saudi Arabia, affirms strong and historic ties

Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty has dismissed reports suggesting tension between Egypt and Saudi Arabia, describing them as “incorrect”, and stressing that relations between the two countries are “solid and historic.”

Speaking to Egyptian journalist Khaled Abu Bakr during an interview on Egypt’s privately owned television channel Al-Nahar on Wednesday evening, Abdelatty said that talk of tension “is wrong and reflects a misunderstanding of the nature and special character of Egyptian-Saudi relations.”

He added: “Egypt and Saudi Arabia are the two wings of the Arab and Islamic nations. The relationship between the two countries is strong, extending through bonds of kinship, as well as deep, historic and enduring ties. It is certainly a major contribution to joint Arab and Islamic cooperation.”

The minister went on to say that “relations between the two countries are solid and untouchable. Even if some third parties (whom he did not name) try to stir trouble, such attempts will not deceive the awareness of the two brotherly peoples.”