Egypt’s el-Sisi seeks authorisation for defence assistance to Saudi Arabia
Egyptian president pledges ‘any measure’ to help defend Saudi Arabia ‘if it is requested of us’.
![Egyptian President Abdel Fattah wl-Sisi meets Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Cairo, Egypt on September 15, 2026 [Bandar Algaloud/Saudi Royal Court/Reuters]](https://aljazeeranews-3fuh52rgrl.edgeone.app/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/2026-09-15T133315Z_1739277875_RC2PJNAUTU8V_RTRMADP_3_IRAN-CRISIS-EGYPT-SAUDI-1792241573.jpg?resize=770%2C513&quality=80)
Egyptian president pledges ‘any measure’ to help defend Saudi Arabia ‘if it is requested of us’.
![Egyptian President Abdel Fattah wl-Sisi meets Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Cairo, Egypt on September 15, 2026 [Bandar Algaloud/Saudi Royal Court/Reuters]](https://aljazeeranews-3fuh52rgrl.edgeone.app/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/2026-09-15T133315Z_1739277875_RC2PJNAUTU8V_RTRMADP_3_IRAN-CRISIS-EGYPT-SAUDI-1792241573.jpg?resize=770%2C513&quality=80)

![Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud [Saudi Press Agency /SPA]](https://aljazeeranews-3fuh52rgrl.edgeone.app/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/SAUDIKING-1790102756.webp?resize=770%2C513&quality=80)



![Saudi Arabia has been a key US ally in the Middle East for decades, but President Joe Biden faces pressure in Washington to take a harder line against human rights abuses in the Gulf kingdom [File: Fahad Shadeed/Reuters]](https://aljazeeranews-3fuh52rgrl.edgeone.app/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/2011-10-27T120000Z_1140262155_GM1E7AS0BE001_RTRMADP_3_SAUDI-1.jpg?resize=770%2C513&quality=80)
![Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud targeted Iran in a speech to the Shura Council, the top government advisory body [Bandar Algaloud/Courtesy of Saudi Royal Court/Handout via Reuters]](https://aljazeeranews-3fuh52rgrl.edgeone.app/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/2020-11-11T233430Z_412548777_RC2B1K9FDIK6_RTRMADP_3_SAUDI-KING-IRAN-e1605187711628.jpg?resize=570%2C380&quality=80)

The 84-year-old monarch was admitted to hospital with what state media said was an inflammation of the gall bladder.
The king has ruled since 2015 and is custodian of Islam’s holiest sites. His son Mohammed bin Salman is next in line.
Deleted tweet by Saudi Arabia’s prison authority said Prince Mohammed bin Naif was being treated after heart attack.
Putin signs oil agreements and discusses regional security in his first visit to the kingdom since 2007.
British newspaper cites anonymous source, who says father and son are increasingly at odds on issues such as Yemen war.
Move to halt oil giant’s $100bn initial public offering seen as king’s way to keep the crown prince’s power in check.

Women in Saudi Arabia are finally being allowed to drive from next year following a decree issued by King Salman.
Monday’s Medina attack, which killed four policemen, followed suicide bombings in Jeddah and eastern city of Qatif.
If the US is not willing to play a hegemonic role in the region, then Riyadh will have to step in.
Two sons of late King Abdullah relieved of responsibilities and heads of intelligence and other key agencies replaced.