Egypt’s Armed Forces Chief told Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah on Friday that the situation in Egypt was “stable,” the Saudi state news agency said, as Islamists demonstrated across the country against the military’s overthrow of President Mohammed Mursi.

King Abdullah was one of the first regional leaders to congratulate the Head of the Egyptian Constitutional Court, Adly Mansour, on his appointment as Interim Head of State after the Armed Forces deposed Mursi on Wednesday.

King Abdullah also praised the Egyptian Armed Forces, saying: “At the same time, we strongly shake hands with the men of all the Armed Forces, represented by General Abdel Fattah al-Sissi, who managed to save Egypt at this critical moment from a dark tunnel God only could apprehend its dimensions and repercussions, but the wisdom and moderation came out of those men to preserve the rights of all parties in the political process.”

In Friday’s phone call, Armed Forces Commander General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi informed the King of the latest developments and “reassured him of the stability of the situation,” SPA said.

King Abdullah told al-Sisi the events in Egypt called for “wisdom and caution,” SPA said.

Meanwhile, UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan received a telephone call from General Abdul Fatah al-Sisi, Commander-in-Chief of Egypt's Armed Forces and Minister of Defense, who briefed him on the latest developments in Egypt.

Sheikh Khalifa wished security and stability for Egypt and emphasized the depth of brotherly bilateral ties and hailed Egypt's leading role in various fields.

For his part, General al-Sisi expressed his gratitude to Sheikh Khalifa, wishing bilateral ties further progress and prosperity.

Most Gulf Arab states have been deeply rattled by the rise of Islamists in the Middle East and have watched with relief as the Egyptian Army stepped in to end Muslim Brotherhood rule.

 

Source: Reuters; SPA; WAM