Dubai: Egyptian President Abdul Fatah Al Sissi has reportedly launched a damage control operation to ensure that his country’s relations are not affected by the alleged audio recording suggesting that Egyptian officials close to him viewed Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries with disdain.
The conversation between Al Sissi who was then minister of defence and two aides, released on Saturday, includes remarks that some Gulf countries were half states, that they had more money than they needed and that Egypt should adopt a strict policy of give-and-take with them. It also includes verbal personal abuse of the Emir of Qatar.
According to reports published by official news agencies in the Gulf, Al Sissi, who called four GCC leaders, was given assurances that the GCC countries continued to support Egypt.
The Saudi Press Agency (SPA) on Sunday reported that King Salman Bin Abdul Aziz received a phone call from Al Sissi and that the two leaders reviewed bilateral relations and the latest regional and international developments
“The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques confirmed to President Al Sissi the support of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the people and government of Egypt, and that the stances of the kingdom towards Egypt and its stability and security are steadfast,” the SPA reported. “The bonds between the two countries are exemplary and should be emulated in strategic relations and common destiny. The outstanding and deep-rooted relations between Saudi Arabia and Egypt are too strong to be affected by any attempt to ruin them,” the official news agency said.
Al Sissi expressed his gratitude to King Salman for his noble sentiments and strong positions, it added.
In the UAE, General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, said that the deep relations between the UAE and Egypt were a source of pride to the leaderships and peoples of the two countries and that any malevolent attempt will not affect the strong and growing fraternal relations.”
Shaikh Mohammad expressed his full confidence in the ability of the Egyptian people and their leadership to face all challenges and to move forward to achieve security, stability and progress, WAM reported.
In Bahrain, King Hamad Bin Eisa Al Khalifa also received a phone call from Al Sissi, the Bahrain News Agency (BNA) said.
“His Majesty the King stressed that Bahrain stood alongside Egypt and that its support to its security and stability was steadfast,” the BNA said, “Bahrain appreciates the Egyptian positions in support of the kingdom and the Arab world.”
Al Sissi also received assurances from the Emir of Kuwait Shaikh Sabah Al Ahmad in support of Egypt, reports in Kuwait said.
“Kuwait supports Egypt as it endeavours to move forward past the transition stage and contributes to the economic and social development process,” the Emir was quoted as telling the Egyptian president during a telephone conversation. “Solidarity with Kuwait will continue and will not be affected by any attempts to stall it.”
