Analysts argue that coordination between Saudi Arabia and Egypt represents a cornerstone of security and stability in the Middle East, particularly amid growing attempts to reshape the regional landscape and impose new realities on the Palestinian issue.
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, they stressed that the rapidly unfolding developments in the region - chief among them the conflict in Gaza and the West Bank, along with other pressing regional files - are expected to dominate talks between Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman.
Sisi began a special visit to Saudi Arabia on Thursday and was received a day earlier in NEOM by the Crown Prince.
Visit at a Sensitive Moment
Dr. Abdulaziz Sager, chairman of the Gulf Research Center, described the visit as coming at “an exceptionally sensitive time,” pointing to Israeli attempts to alter the status quo in Gaza and “terminate the Palestinian cause” by occupying the territory and displacing its residents.
He warned that both Riyadh and Cairo view these actions as a threat to regional and international stability, and as an effort by Israel to eliminate prospects for peace and coexistence among the peoples of the region, including Israelis themselves.
“There are great hopes pinned on the meeting between the Crown Prince and the Egyptian President to advance the Palestinian issue away from Israeli claims and maneuvers, in a way that ensures security and stability for the entire region,” Sager said.
He emphasized that Saudi–Egyptian relations are “historic and strategic, built on solid foundations, and a guarantee of security and stability for the Arab world and the broader Middle East, given the political weight and influence of both nations at the regional and global levels.”
According to Sager, the current period demands closer coordination than ever before. “In light of unprecedented regional and global shifts, and persistent attempts to impose changes on the Arab world, Saudi Arabia and Egypt must align their policies and positions more closely,” he added.
Deep and Multifaceted Ties
For his part, Saudi political analyst Dr. Khalid Al-Habass noted that Sisi’s visit is focused on both bilateral and regional priorities.
“On the bilateral front, Riyadh and Cairo enjoy multi-layered relations, anchored by well-established cooperation mechanisms aimed at advancing shared interests across all sectors,” he told Asharq Al-Awsat.
He continued: “On the regional level, the Saudi–Egyptian relationship serves as the backbone of Arab solidarity, essential for confronting the grave challenges that threaten the region’s security and stability.”
Al-Habass pointed to the escalating dangers facing the Palestinian cause in Gaza and the West Bank, alongside other critical regional issues, particularly in Syria and Lebanon. “All of these files will feature prominently in the discussions between the two leaderships,” he said.
He also underlined Riyadh’s role as one of the region’s most influential capitals, recognized for its proactive diplomacy aimed at fostering peace and stability both regionally and internationally.
Active Diplomacy and Shared Vision
Al-Habass highlighted Saudi Arabia’s recent diplomatic initiatives, including the international conference it co-chaired with France to revive the two-state solution, which produced significant outcomes. He also recalled earlier summits hosted by both Riyadh and Cairo to counter Israeli escalation in the occupied territories, press for an end to the war in Gaza, and rally international support for peace.
The depth of Saudi–Egyptian ties is also evident in the frequency of high-level visits. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has traveled to Egypt eight times since April 2015, while President al-Sisi has visited Saudi Arabia on 11 occasions.
These exchanges continue a tradition of engagement that dates back to King Abdulaziz’s historic visit to Egypt in January 1946, underscoring the determination of both nations to expand cooperation and open new horizons for joint action across multiple fields.
