The fate of Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak tops the agenda of the ongoing negotiations between the Saudis and the Americans in Morocco. In addition the two sides have been discussing the next phase in Egypt, especially the future of military weapons sold by Washington to Egypt and the option they will be used against Israel in the event a new regime "free of external pressures" will rise in Egypt.
Arabic press sources reported that the talks are taking place in Morocco where Saudi King Abdullah, has been residing since returning from the USA. It is reported that the Saudi are looking for "honorable solution" to Mubarak. The importance of the talks forced the arrival of Saudi Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal. The host Morocco's King Mohammed VI has decided not to participate in these discussions and preferred to travel to Paris at the end of the week.
Recent press reports have indicated growing tensions between Washington and the Gulf states over the US standpoint regarding Mubarak. During the exchange of the messages, the Saudi monarch expressed his anger over Washington's abandonment of an "historical ally" such as President Hosni Mubarak, despite the services he offered to support the American policy in the Middle East. These included his positions during the wars against Iraq, his stand against nuclear Iran, and his stand toward Tehran's involvement in Lebanon.
Sources said the Saudis told the American envoys that Obama's support to the anti-Mubarak demonstrators push all Arab regimes to adopt anti-Israeli policy as well as adopting a policy of dialogue with the Iranians in order to avoid any military conflict in the future, and by these gain the support of the masses. The Saudis claim the Egyptian revolt was not just because rising food prices and the absence of democracy, but also in order to restore Egypt's historic role in the Middle East, as leading the fight against Israel.
At the same time, Washington's ally, Israel, is becoming more and more concerned regarding the future of Egypt and especially its army. Israel fears changes in Egyptian politics will bring changes in its foreign policy. The Egyptian army, which is one of the strongest armies in the Middle East was in a state of truce with Israel for over 30 years, and now Israel fears it may turn into a source of danger in case of the Muslim Brotherhood will join the government. In recent years, the United States supplied the Egyptian army with advanced weapon systems to create a balance with the Iranians in the Middle East. These included 240 F-16 fighter aircraft.
