Cairo and Jeddah, Asharq Al-Awsat—Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal said on Monday that King Abdullah appreciated Egypt’s efforts to recover its leading role in the Arab world, and that Saudi Arabia will continue to provide financial and diplomatic support to Egypt.

Prince Saud made the comments at a meeting with Egyptian defense minister and deputy prime minister General Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi and Prime Minister Hazem El-Beblawi.

The Saudi foreign minister also confirmed that Saudi-Egyptian relations are based on firm ties of fraternal feelings and coordination and cooperation.

For his part, General Sisi reportedly expressed gratitude for the supportive diplomatic efforts undertaken by Saudi Arabia over the recent period towards the Egyptian people. The Egyptian military commander also expressed his thanks to Saudi King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud for his economic and political support to the North African country during this difficult period. Sisi confirmed the strong ties between Saudi Arabia and Egypt, affirming that they share a deep-rooted history of joint leadership in the Arab world.

Egyptian army spokesman Colonel Ahmed Mohamed Ali told Asharq Al-Awsat that “cooperation between Cairo and Riyadh is a cornerstone of Arab national security, through which the Arab and Islamic nation can face all challenges.”

He said “Egypt’s armed forces in particular, and the Egyptian people in general, are appreciative of the Saudi political and economic support.”

Ali added that the Egyptian people were aware that the Arab nation is only able to face its challenges under the umbrella of Arab cooperation, and it is certain that “Saudi Arabia and Egypt lead that cooperation.”

Saudi Arabia declared its support for Cairo since the announcement of the road map in Egypt, at a time when Egypt was increasingly criticized by Western governments following the ouster of President Mohamed Mursi in July.

Senior Egyptian officials also met the Saudi foreign minister and the Saudi delegation. They reportedly discussed local and regional developments and their effects on the region’s security and stability. Egyptian Prime Minister Hazem El-Beblawi thanked Saudi Arabia and praised the “noble stances” taken by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques in supporting Egypt at a very critical time.

Prince Saud and Beblawi discussed projects to which Saudi Arabia could contribute to support the development process in Egypt. This included urgent projects which are needed to improve the daily lives of citizens, as well as mid-term and long-term projects which could achieve sustainable development in Egypt.

In the meantime, the Saudi Council of Ministers at its weekly meeting in Jeddah on Monday said the Syrian government’s rejection of all serious efforts to solve the crisis and its determination to continue the massacre of Syrians “required a firm and serious international stance to end those human tragedies against the Syrian people.”