Saudi Arabia's Ambassador to Egypt and Permanent Representative of the Kingdom to the Arab League Ahmed Kattan returned to Cairo Saturday almost a week after he was recalled following protests outside Saudi embassy and consulates against the arrest of an Egyptian lawyer for possession of narcotic tablets. “Thanks to Allah, it was a passing cloud and it ended with all good. On the contrary, the recent incident has strengthened the relations between the two countries and reflected the feelings of the loving Egyptian people toward the Kingdom, the Saudi leadership and people,” said Kattan in a statement upon his arrival. “I arrived here today (Saturday) in line with the directives of King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, and I will start my duties as of tomorrow (Sunday),” he said. A high-level Egyptian delegation traveled to Riyadh and met King Abdullah Friday. “We will not allow this passing crisis to go on for long,” King Abdullah said Friday. The delegation of over 100 Egyptian personalities was led by the speaker of parliament Saad El-Katatni. Meanwhile, Saudi Finance Minister Ibrahim Al-Assaf said in Riyadh that the Kingdom was committed to an economic aid package to Egypt worth $3.7 billion. Al-Assaf said the first batch, worth $500 million, will go forward. “The Kingdom has coordinated with the authorities in Egypt to dispatch the loan,” he told reporters after a meeting of GCC finance ministers.
