Arab and Islamic nations must adopt a united front in Egypt's fight against terrorism, said Saudi Arabia's minister of culture and media, Abdel Aziz Khoga, in a statement Monday. Saudi ambassador Ahmad Al-Qattan meanwhile said: "The directive" of Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz was "clear and unequivocal towards providing all forms of support to Egypt and its people," while Khoga expressed Saudi Arabia's" keenness" to stand with Egypt against terrorism and anyone who tries to "interfere in its internal affairs." The statements came during the meeting held by the Council of Ministers on Monday afternoon at the Peace Palace in Jeddah which the minister attended while the ambassador's statement came during a meeting between himself, UAE ambassador and interim prime minister Hazem El-Beblawi. For his part, El-Beblawi expressed his "gratitude to Saudi Arabia," calling their stance "noble". The meeting also included a discussion over plans for co-operation between the two states in terms of investment. Saudi Arabia deposited a non-interest bearing $2bn loan in the Central Bank of Egypt on 21 July. King Abdul Aziz released a statement on 17 August calling on "Egyptians to stand against those trying to destabilise their country" while also saying that "the Saudi people stand against terrorism" and "confirm their support to Egypt."
