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Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah is seen off at the Casablanca airport on his way to Cairo on Friday. (SPA)

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah met with newly elected President Abdel Fattah El-Sissi in Cairo on Friday, to pledge the Kingdom’s support for the country’s political transition and economic development.

“The visit comes at a crucial time,” said Saudi Ambassador to Egypt Ahmed bin Abdul Aziz Al-Qattan on Friday. “It is significant because this is the first visit by a top Arab leader since the election of El-Sissi as president.”

The king’s visit underscores the close ties between Saudi Arabia and Egypt. “Saudi Arabia and Egypt are two pillars of the Arab nation,” Al-Qattan said. “The visit is aimed at coordinating and synchronizing their efforts on key regional issues.”

He said Egypt and its people value the support of Saudi Arabia during a difficult period. “The king expressed his delight and total support for El-Sissi when he was sworn in as the new president earlier this month,” said Al-Qattan.

King Abdullah has called for a donor conference to help Egypt overcome its economic difficulties.

He urged Egyptians to reject the “strange chaos” of the Arab uprisings, saying Egypt “needs us today more than ever.”

El-Sissi mentioned King Abdullah by name in his first speech as president, when he thanked the king for organizing the donor conference.

The most populous Arab state, Egypt has the largest army in the Middle East, though the military’s main focus has been domestically driven for decades.

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