Saudi king expresses support for Mubarak

International Business Times

While key western allies U.S., U.K and Germany have expressed their concerns over Egypt President Hosni Mubarak’s handling of the current political crisis, he enjoys the support of at least one regional power.

Saudi Arabia’s state news agency reported that King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz al-Saud criticized the protestors (claiming they are instigated by "infiltrators") and strongly backed Mubarak.

The king said protesters were "exploited to spew out their hatred in destruction . . . inciting a malicious sedition” and that outside agitators “infiltrated into the brotherly people of Egypt, to destabilize its security."

"No Arab or Muslim can tolerate any meddling in the security and stability of Arab and Muslim Egypt by those who infiltrated the people in the name of freedom of expression, exploiting it to inject their destructive hatred," King Abdullah was quoted as saying.

"As they condemn this, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its people and government declares it stands with all its resources with the government of Egypt and its people," the Saudi agency added.

In addition, the king reportedly phoned Mubarak early Saturday and "reassured” him about the situation in Egypt.

Saudi Arabia and Egypt are widely viewed as “moderate” Arab states and have formed a key U.S.-supported alliance against the fundamentalist Iran.

While the unrest in Tunisia and Egypt has not yet seriously spilled over into other Muslim lands run by authoritarian regimes, rulers like the Saudi king are likely eager to prevent any such disturbances within their borders.

Meanwhile, Iranian officials, meanwhile, expressed their continued support on for the demonstrators in Egypt.

A spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry said that Tehran expects Egypt to "respond to (protesters') rightful demands and refrain from exerting violence.”