level Egyptian delegation Saudi Gazette report RIYADH – The Kingdom, which views Egyptians as brothers and friends, will not use brotherhood, love and friendship as a cover for justifying interference in their affairs or impose guardianship, said Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal during a meeting with a high-ranking Egyptian delegation here Thursday evening. “Friendship is there when there is mutual respect,” he told the delegation headed by Egypt's People's Assembly Speaker Dr. Saad El-Katatni and Shoura Council Speaker Ahmed Fahmy. Prince Saud stressed that the Kingdom will not blame any innocent people for others' mistakes. “We don't support each other so as to interfere in other's affairs nor do we brag about what we give. We help the brethren because we have a common fate and interest. “History has proved that any rapprochement or cooperation between the Kingdom and Egypt is in the higher interest of the Arab and Muslim Ummah. There are foreign elements that want to cloud the relations between the two countries,” the Saudi foreign minister said. He expressed confidence that the wise men on both sides are capable of surpassing the trivial matters. The Speaker of the Egyptian Parliament lauded the depth of relations between the two countries, and stressed that these strong relations cannot be affected by any individual incident here or there. El-Katatni said the Egyptian delegation, which represents all segments of the Egyptian people, political parties, sheikhs of Al-Azhar, the Church, writers, thinkers and university professors, among others, has come to express their respect for the Kingdom, its government and people. He said they will never forget the generous stances of the Kingdom during the October War and the noble stand of the late King Faisal. The volume of Saudi investments in Egypt indicate the strength of relations and joint cooperation, El-Katatni said. He said they have come to express their feelings and that a passing incident should not cloud the relations between the two countries. Saudi Arabia has recalled its ambassador to Cairo and closed its embassy and consulates in Egypt after violent protests outside its diplomatic missions following the arrest in Jeddah of Egyptian lawyer Al-Jizawee for possession of contraband drugs. The Egyptian Consultative Council Wednesday highlighted the Saudi-Egyptian relations and urged the Egyptian government and Military Council to take quick steps for restoring normal relations between the two countries. __
