Egypt and Saudi Arabia are offering a lifeline to Syria but it is not unconditional, writes Ibrahim Nafie The recent visit to Cairo by Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul-Aziz, Saudi heir apparent and minister of defence and aviation, presented an occasion for both Egypt and Saudi Arabia to voice their willingness to support Syria in its current crisis. Egyptian and Saudi officials were, however, keen to stress that their support remains conditional on Syria cooperating fully over UN Security Council Resolution 1636. During the visit to Cairo Saudi officials also discussed matters related to other events in the region, including the situation in Iraq and Palestine and bilateral ties as well as the ongoing investigation into the assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafik Al-Hariri. Cairo and Riyadh were seeking to clarify their positions towards a range of regional issues. In recent weeks there have been media reports of the possibility of convening an Arab summit, or a three-way meeting between Syria, Egypt and Saudi Arabia. In the course of Egyptian-Saudi talks it emerged that neither Cairo nor Riyadh was in favour of holding a summit. Cairo and Riyadh both feel that the investigation into Al-Hariri's assassination should be conducted in keeping with Resolution 1636. Both capitals want to see Syria cooperating fully with the investigation. Neither wants to see Damascus acting in defiance of UN resolutions. In exchanges with their Syrian counterparts Egyptian and Saudi officials have urged Damascus to comply fully and, initially at least, the Syrians were willing to listen. Then President Bashar Al-Assad opted for a defiant tone in his recent speech delivered at Damascus University. Cairo and Riyadh were far from happy with the change in Syrian rhetoric and continue to advise the Syrians to keep things in perspective and cooperate with Detlev Mehlis. Unfortunately Damascus and Mehlis are at loggerheads: Mehlis wants to conduct hearings in Beirut while Damascus wants some other venue to be used. The current stand-off is damaging to Syria and undermines the help Egypt and Saudi Arabia are seeking to offer. Damascus needs to comply with Resolution 1636, issued by the UN Security Council unanimously. In addition it needs to demonstrate goodwill on both the Iraqi and Lebanese dossiers. It is not in Syria's interest to exacerbate tensions with the Iraqi and the Lebanese governments or engage in cross-border verbal duels. Washington claims that Syria is engaged in sabotage in both Iraq and Lebanon. US officials argue that Syria has not terminated its security presence in Lebanon in full and the Lebanese government supports the American claims. Washington also charges that Syria is not doing enough to stop insurgents crossing its border into Iraq, a charge the Iraqi government upholds. Syria needs to come clean on both counts. Egypt and Saudi Arabia are willing to help but they can do so only if Damascus is serious about clearing its name. Prince Sultan's visit to Egypt clarified the positions the two countries have adopted towards a number of pressing regional issues, demarcating common ground shared by Cairo and Riyadh. It is now up to Damascus to take on board the potentials, and the limits, of the Egyptian-Saudi vision. It is, in short, up to Damascus to act in such a way as to make it possible to realise the benefits offered by Egypt and Saudi Arabia.
