Most likely, the diplomatic row between Egypt and Saudi Arabia will soon be settled. The most populous Arab nation and the richest share a historical alliance not easily shaken. But the very idea that one single, presumably innocuous incident, the detention of an Egyptian in the kingdom, led to Saudi Arabia closing its embassy in Egypt and recalling its ambassador, clearly shows the relationship is not as rooted as presumed. The arrest of Ahmed El-Gizawi was not the only measure that led to the diplomatic quarrel. Following his detention, hundreds of Egyptian demonstrators staged a sit-in outside the Saudi Embassy in Cairo, some apparently making repeated attempts to raid the compound. Similar scenes were repeated at Saudi consulates in Alexandria and Suez. Things escalated so much that Saudis felt the need to close the embassy and bring their ambassador home. Remarkably, the protests were staged without the demonstrators knowing all the facts. El-Gizawi was detained on 18 April for allegedly filing a lawsuit in a South Cairo court against Saudi King Abdullah on behalf of Egyptian citizens currently held without charge in Saudi prisons. The Saudi government, though, says El-Gizawi wasn't arrested for insulting Abdullah but for smuggling over 1,000 doses of the pharmaceutical drug Xanax into Saudi Arabia, the sale of which is illegal in the kingdom, while on a pilgrimage to Mecca. Filing a lawsuit against Saudi Arabia, then finding yourself behind Saudi bars could be a coincidence but perhaps not. It's simply not clear, as is the report that El-Gizawi claims he was asked to deliver the suitcase to someone in Jeddah. The protesters seem to have the answer to everything. Even though Egyptian state TV published a written confession by El-Gizawi, protesters believe he was pressured into confessing to ease diplomatic tensions. The basic conclusion of the protesters: the drug charges have been trumped up by the Saudis to try and get back at someone who insulted the king. That is speculation. The reported conviction of El-Gizawi to a year in prison and 20 lashes, and whether the sentence has been carried out also remain vague. The El-Gizawi incident aside, what is clear is that the Saudis have misgivings over Egypt's post-revolution. The collapse of Hosni Mubarak's regime last year stunned Saudi Arabia's monarchy, concerned as they are over their own grip on power. Moreover, prior to Mubarak's downfall, Egypt and Saudi Arabia were both staunch opponents of what they saw as Shia Iran's efforts to expand its influence and destabilise the region. The new Egypt, with new Islamist leanings, might one day readjust its position on Tehran. None of these grand geo-political extravaganzas are probably related to the El-Gizawi case. More than likely, the story could come under the label of subtle competition between the two Arab powerhouses over the question of regional leadership. There have been cases where Egyptians have been reportedly mistreated under Saudi law, and many Egyptians with newly imbued revolutionary zeal feel resentment. But offensives by the masses intended for Mubarak in the lead up to his ouster might not be in the best of taste when directed at leaders abroad. Hussein Tantawi, Egypt's military leader, has asked King Abdullah to reconsider his embassy decision and pledged to secure Saudi diplomatic missions in the country. Abdullah is expected to soon send a positive reply. As such, a full break in ties between Cairo and Riyadh appears unlikely. However, the dispute with Saudi Arabia was the last thing Egypt needed. As the fate of the Cabinet, the parliament and the constitution still to be drafted hang in the balance, and as protesters continue to defy the military over its handling of the transition and the upcoming presidential elections, the Saudi-Egyptian spat is one problem Cairo could have done without.
