Prime Minister Essam Sharaf denies that Saudi Arabia has been pressuring the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces and the care-taker Government to save Hosni Mubarak from being tried for his role in the killing of demonstrators in Al Tahrir Square and elsewhere in Egypt, during the recent revolution. Mubarak and his family also face several other criminal charges, including the abuse of power and amassing ill-gotten gains over 30 years. Prior to his departure for Saudi Arabia for a multi-leg tour of the Arabian Gulf tour, Sharaf described Egyptian-Saudi ties as ‘more than excellent', stressing that the two countries are bound together by time-honoured ties, which could frustrate any cynical attempt to drive a wedge between them. During his visit to Riyadh, his first to an Arab Gulf country since assuming office, Sharaf was received by the Custodian of the Holy Shrines, King Abdullah Ibn Abdel-Aziz. Also denying that Egypt's bid to improve its ties with Tehran would adversely affect its relations with the Arab Gulf countries, the Prime Minister said that the security of these states is a red line that no-one should ever think of overstepping. Sharaf, who explained that their security is also part of Egypt's national security, also denied that the differences between Egypt and the United Arab Emirates concerning the trial of Mubarak and his family are ‘past reconciliation'. Rumourmongers, many of whom belonged to the ex-president's disgraced regime, have been attempting to sour the historical relationship between Egypt and its Arab Gulf sisters by warning that Riyadh will reconsider its investments in Egypt if Mubarak is put on trial. These rumourmongers, whom the Prime Minister's statements should silence, have also alleged that the rulers of the UAE are angry because Egypt's former leader has been detained and will be moved to Torah Prison.
