Egypt Seeks Closer Ties During Saudi Crown Prince's Visit

Egypt warmly welcomed Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Monday, emphasizing the development of strategic relations between the two countries through military ceremonies and a visit to the Suez Canal. According to the Associated Press, this is the first foreign trip for the 32-year-old Crown Prince since he ascended to the position, occurring after a challenging year during which he consolidated his position by sidelining rivals, promised extensive reforms, and increased competition with Iran. In addition to discussions with President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and other Egyptian officials, Mohammed bin Salman will participate in various events, including visits to religious centers for Muslims and Christians, the inauguration of a tourism center built by the Egyptian military, and attending an opera with Mr. Sisi. After leaving Egypt, he will travel to Britain and the United States. Egypt is seeking Saudi investment in tourism development projects and an economic complex on the outskirts of Cairo. On the first day of this three-day visit, the two sides signed agreements regarding a joint investment fund and environmental protection. They are also expected to discuss the ongoing wars in Syria and Yemen and their joint policy in sanctioning Qatar, which they accuse of supporting terrorism. A week before this visit, Mohammed bin Salman changed the chief of staff and several defense officials, which seems to be an effort to change tactics in the Yemen war, which is at a stalemate. Since March 2015, nearly three years ago, Saudi Arabia has led a military coalition in the Yemen war, fighting against Houthi rebels in support of the Yemeni government. Over 10,000 people have been killed in this war, and the poorest Arab country has been severely affected, yet the Houthi rebels still control Sana'a, the capital, and most of the northern country. Egypt, the most populous country, and Saudi Arabia, one of the wealthiest Arab countries, have strengthened their relations since 2013 when the Egyptian army, led by General Sisi, ousted the Islamist government of Mohamed Morsi. Saudi Arabia provides billions of dollars in financial aid to Egypt, and with Mr. Sisi's consolidation of power and falling oil prices, investment relations are now a central issue. The two countries plan to build a communication route over the Red Sea and develop surrounding areas in both countries. The Associated Press recalls that the Egyptian president faced strong opposition when he ceded two islands in the Red Sea to Saudi Arabia, with critics claiming the decision was made in exchange for financial aid. The largest protests against President Sisi's government occurred in response to this event but were quickly suppressed. The Egyptian government insists that these islands have always been part of Saudi territory and that their control was temporarily handed to Egypt in the 1950s at the onset of tensions in Arab-Israeli relations. Just before the Saudi Crown Prince's visit, Egypt's Supreme Constitutional Court rejected all previous rulings regarding these islands, including those that rejected this agreement. The recent agreement regarding the islands was approved by the Egyptian parliament, which is controlled by Mr. Sisi's supporters. Overall, Egyptians have a positive view of Saudi Arabia, and during the economic downturn of the 1970s, many Egyptians worked in that country. The money sent back by Egyptian migrants was important for the economy, but at the same time, conservative interpretations of Islam have taken root in Egypt due to these interactions and relations.