Military Council pledges to secure missions Al-Arabi: Diplomatic spat a 'passing phase' Egyptians denounce protests as unjustified By Maher Abbas Saudi Gazette RIYADH/CAIRO – Egypt's Foreign Minister Muhammad Amr described Sunday as disgraceful and unacceptable the acts of vandalism against the Saudi Embassy in Cairo. The Kingdom Saturday recalled its ambassador from Cairo after angry protests outside the Saudi embassy over the arrest of Egyptian lawyer Ahmad Al-Jizawee with contraband drugs in Jeddah. The Saudi embassy as well as the Kingdom's consulates in the Mediterranean cities of Alexandria and Suez were closed. “The problems Egyptians in Saudi Arabia face are nothing compared to the number of Egyptians living there, which is in excess of two million,” Amr was quoted as saying by state news agency MENA. “Does that mean that the relations between Egypt and Saudi Arabia be put in one hand, and citizen Ahmad Al-Jizawee put on the other?” He also cautioned protesters against making “insulting” chants and writing objectionable comments on the walls of the Saudi Embassy and at consulates in Alexandria and Suez. In a statement Sunday, Egypt's ruling Military Council also criticized the demonstrators. It said the protests were “irresponsible behavior” that should not shake strategic Egyptian-Saudi relations. It said it is committed to securing the missions. Arab League Secretary General Nabil Al-Arabi said in a statement Sunday that he had been in touch with the Saudi and Egyptian foreign ministers, Prince Saud Al-Faisal and Muhammad Amr. He said that he had “confidence in the wisdom of the two nations to get over this passing phase in the historic and strategic special relations between Egypt and Saudi Arabia.” Egypt's Planning and International Cooperation Minister Faiza El-Naga was also quoted by the state news agency MENA as saying: “The current crisis between Egypt and Saudi Arabia will be contained, given the solid relations between the two countries which transcend any problem.” Meanwhile, high-ranking Egyptian diplomatic sources told Okaz/Saudi Gazette that Mahmood Owf, Egyptian Ambassador to Riyadh, has been recalled by Prime Minister Kamal El-Ganzouri to discuss means to make the Kingdom reconsider its decision. Egyptian intellectuals, businessmen and workers have collectively denounced protests outside Saudi missions in Cairo, Suez and Alexandria describing them as “unjustified.” They reiterated that Egyptians hold Kingdom's leaders and people in high esteem and would always be indebted to the Kingdom for its historical support to safeguard the interests of Egyptians and protect against any harm coming to the time-tested ties between the two countries. The Egyptian nationals contacted by Saudi Gazette pleaded with King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, to reopen the Saudi embassy and consulates in Egypt. They maintained that protests and demonstrations cannot harm the long-standing relations between the two countries. Abdullah Al-Samti, a critic and poet, expressed his deep concern over the decision to close Saudi embassy and consulates adding that “nothing can harm the Saudi-Egyptian relations. We have many common things together including language, traditions, religion and even family ties.” Many are trying to drive a wedge between both countries but their attempts and plans are bound to fall through because of the solid relations, Al-Samti pointed out. “Instigators won't be able to stop both countries from achieving the expectations of their peoples.” Emam Yousef, chief of the national wheat project in Egypt, attributed recent incidents to some hidden forces which are trying to disturb peaceful ties between the two countries. He strongly criticized the slogans raised by some protestors saying the overwhelming majority of Egyptians do not agree with them. Majdi Al-Basyouni, Egyptian investor in the Kingdom, said the Kingdom was “loved and respected by all Egyptians”. He pleaded with King Abdullah to reopen the Saudi missions in Egypt. Dr. Hassan Al-Jrahi, first Egyptian investor in the Kingdom and who is in the Kingdom for over 32 years, was indignant and resentful at the protests. He said Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi's call to the King reflects the fact that Egyptians hold the Kingdom in high esteem. Adel Hanafi, another Egyptian investor, called for arresting the instigators. – With input from Ashraf Mukhaimar in Cairo __
