Egypt Ready to Defend Saudi Arabia if Needed, Sisi Says

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi said his nation stands ready to defend Saudi Arabia as it comes under attack from Yemen’s Houthis and called on parliament to convene an emergency session to authorize such action if it became necessary.

Speaking at a graduation ceremony at a military academy on Cairo’s outskirts on Saturday, Sisi said he would provide help if asked by the Saudi King or the crown prince.

“I hope that the parliament will meet in an emergency session to give us this authorization if that is requested,” Sisi said, adding that he aim wasn’t to “fight someone or attack someone.”

“We’re talking about for defense only,“ he said.

Read More: Egypt Vows ‘Any Kind’ of Support for Saudis After Houthi Strikes

Sisi has repeatedly condemned attacks targeting Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states, and drawn a direct link between security and stability in the Persian Gulf and Egypt. The nation of around 110 million people has so far managed to avoid military involvement in the ongoing Iran war and the campaign being waged by Houthis, and has instead sought to play a mediating role.

Sisi also sought to damp speculation that he may seek to stay in office beyond the end of his term in 2030, saying there was no intent to amend the constitution to allow for an extension.

Egypt is capable of “producing people a hundred times better than me, providing that we work on preparing, educating and qualifying them to shoulder the responsibility,” he said.