CAIRO, Aug 8, 2018 - Egypt is following with concern, the developments of the current crisis between Saudi Arabia and Canada, which it considers a direct outcome of the negative approach recently adopted by some regional and international parties, based on interference in the domestic affairs of several countries in the region, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid said in a statement on Wednesday. The statement affirmed the necessity for commitment of all parties to international norms and treaties which regulate relations between countries and ensure respect of their sovereignty. The spokesman also affirmed Egypt's firm stance in support of the stability and sovereignty of Arab countries. He said that Egypt stood in solidarity with Saudi Arabia in its rejection of any foreign interference in its domestic affairs or attempts to undermine its sovereignty. Saudi Arabia said yesterday there is no room for mediation in the kingdom's deepening diplomatic dispute with Canada, and that Ottawa knew what it needed to do to "fix its big mistake". "There is nothing to mediate. A mistake has been made and a mistake should be corrected," Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir told a news conference in Riyadh. In an indication that the quarrel may worsen, Jubeir said that the kingdom was still "considering additional measures" against Canada, but did not elaborate. Saudi Arabia on Sunday froze new trade with Canada and expelled the Canadian ambassador in retaliation for Ottawa's call to free arrested Saudi civil society activists. It also ended state-backed educational and medical programmes in Canada, making plans to relocate tens of thousands of Saudi students and patients to other countries.
