Cairo: Saudi King Salman Bin Abdul Aziz Sunday urged Arabs to unify their ranks against terrorism, saying his country’s close links with Egypt is critical to regional equilibrium.
In an address to Egyptian parliament, King Salman said that Saudi Arabia is keen to build a united front against extremism and terrorism.
“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has realised the importance of unifying visions and stances to provide practical solutions to this phenomenon,” he said.
“Hence the formation of Islamic military coalition to fight terrorism with the aim of coordinating efforts and evolve a comprehensive handling of this affliction,” he added, referring to a Saudi-led military alliance of Muslim countries unveiled late last year.
The Saudi king, currently on a state visit to Egypt, also renewed support for the creation of a pan-Arab military force proposed by Egyptian President Abdul Fattah Al Sissi more than a year ago.
“We are working together to go ahead with the formation of the common Arab force,” he said without giving details.
Egypt and Saudi Arabia, he added, have a “historic opportunity to achieve enormous economic leaps” through joint cooperation.
The royal address was interrupted several times by Egyptian lawmakers showering him with praise.
During Salman’s visit to Egypt that started on Thursday, Riyadh and Cairo signed a slew of cooperation pacts worth around 25 billion dollars, according to Egyptian Minister of International Cooperation Sahar Nassr.
“Over the past two days, we have witnessed signing several agreements and memorandums of understanding between our country and sisterly Egypt,” Salman said on Sunday.
He also mentioned a bridge planned to run over the Red Sea to link Saudi Arabia and Egypt.
“This bridge will connect Asia and Africa. It will be Saudi Arabia’s gateway to Africa and bolster trade exchange.”
He also said that a free trade zone will be set up in Egypt’s North Sinai, part of the Sinai Peninsula that has been a hub for militant insurgency in recent years.
The pacts, signed by Egypt and Saudi Arabia this week, also include a 1.5 billion dollar programme to develop Sinai.
Salman’s current visit, due to end Monday, is his first visit to Egypt-- the Arab world’s most populous country-- since he ascended to the throne in January 2015.
The visit is seen as displaying support for Al Sissi whose country is grappling with economic woes and Islamist insurgency.
Egypt, a key ally of Saudi Arabia, is a partner to a Saudi-led military alliance fighting Iran-backed rebels in Yemen.
Saudi Arabia has been a major diplomatic and financial backer of Egypt since 2013 when the army, led at the time by Al Sissi, deposed president Mohammad Mursi of the Muslim Brotherhood.
