Saudi Arabia opposed Egypt's inclusion in Mecca agreement, sources say

Saudi Arabia opposed Egypt's inclusion in Mecca agreement, sources say Submitted by MEE correspondent on Tue, 08/11/2026 - 18:00 The kingdom didn't want Egypt to join the new defence pact with Turkey and Pakistan despite Ankara's push for Cairo to be included, sources say Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L), Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (C), and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif pose after signing a joint defence agreement in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, on 7 August 2026 (Turkish presidential press office/Handout via Reuters) Off Saudi Arabia opposed Egypt joining the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement signed with Turkey and Pakistan last week, despite Ankara's push for Cairo to be included in the pact, three Saudi sources familiar with the discussions told Middle East Eye. One of the sources, a former senior adviser to the Saudi monarchy, said Riyadh did not want Egypt to join the agreement "at least for now". All three sources, however, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the issue, said the Saudi position was driven by a growing frustration with President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi's government and a belief in Riyadh that Egypt no longer offered the strategic or military value it once did.