Arab Allies of US Skittish in Wake of Egypt Unrest
For other US-backed Arab states, events in Egypt are seen as "tragic."
by Caryle Murphy
February 1, 2011
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia - There is little doubt about how Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz views the historic developments unfolding in Egypt.
The monarch, who is in Morocco recuperating from back surgery, called Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to express his support on Saturday. And then, speaking to U.S. President Barack Obama on the phone, he declared that there could be "no compromise" on Egypt's stability and security, the official Saudi news agency reported.
The agency went on to say that "the tragic events" in Egypt were marked by "chaos, looting, intimidation of innocents, exploitation of freedom and expression and attempts to ignite the flames of chaos to achieve their suspicious goals ... not approved by Saudi-U.S. sides."
The king's stance is markedly different from that of his subjects, some of whom have said they are "happy" and "proud" of the Egyptians. Like Arabs across the region, many say they are rooting for the protesters who have filled Cairo's Liberation Square day after day to demand Mubarak's ouster.
Saudi Interior Minister Prince Nayef bin Abdul Aziz attends a meeting in Riyadh on Jan. 22, 2011Read the full article at:
http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/egypt/110131/egypts-wake-arab-leaders-fear-new-world-order