The navies of Egypt and Saudi Arabia announced the beginning of Morgan 14 joint training exercises on Saturday. The exercises will last "several days" and were set to take place around the area of Egypt's Red Sea naval base in the presence of a number of Arab and African observers, according to a statement issued by the office of the spokesman for the Egyptian Armed Forces. The scope of the exercises includes planning and management of carrying out battle plans during the day and night, cooperation with the Air Force, searching for mines, supplying and refueling during navigation, and storming suspected vessels. "These exercises come within the framework of the plan for joint training of the Armed Forces of Egypt and Saudi Arabia to measure the skills and capabilities of troops in the implementing and managing of tasks in joint combat," said the statement from the spokesman's office. The exercises come six months after the Tabuk 3 drills between the two countries, who regularly carry out joint naval, air force, and army exercises with one another. The government of Saudi Arabia has strongly supported the Egyptian interim government. A delegation from the Arab kingdom arrived to Egypt on Friday to discuss a proposed $1.4bn assistance package that includes funds for small and medium enterprises and development loans.
