Cairo, Egypt
© Sputnik/ Eduard Peskov
Commenting on the recent public row between longtime allies Egypt and Saudi Arabia over Cairo's vote in favor of two different Syrian resolutions at the UN Security Council, political analysts argue that regardless of the current tensions between the two countries, Egypt is unlikely to break ties with Riyadh for the sake of friendship with Moscow.

Last Saturday Egypt voted in favor of two separate draft resolutions on Syria in the UN Security Council.

Two draft texts, one from France and Spain, and the other from the Russian Federation addressing the conflict in Syria failed to be adopted by the Security Council (UNSC). However Cairo's decision to support the Russian document led to a public spat between Egypt and Saudi Arabia.

Riyadh's UN envoy Abdullah al-Muallimi described as "painful" the fact that Senegal and Malaysia were "closer to the Arab consensus" on Syria than Egypt, the Arab representative at the UNSC.

Saudi oil giant Aramco then halted petroleum shipments to Egypt for October, which were part of a deal signed in April for Aramco to deliver 700,000 tonnes of products monthly. The Wall Street Journal was quick to comment on the issue. "Until recently, Cairo managed to maintain strong relations with Saudi Arabia and other Gulf monarchies that provide it with tens of billions of dollars in aid, while also cultivating warm ties with Russia and staying away from Saudi-led efforts to topple the Syrian regime," the newspaper said.

It further noted that President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi "has grown increasingly close to Russian President Putin" while "the Saudis hardly contained their fury" over the vote.

The outlet cited as an example the recent purchase by Egypt of Russian KA-52 attack helicopters and the first Russia-Egypt anti-terrorism drills "Defenders of Friendship-2016" which kicked off in Egypt this Saturday. "Russian officials even announced this month that Moscow is seeking to re-establish its Cold War-era naval base in the Mediterranean city of Sidi Barrani near Libya, a plan denied by Cairo," the WSJ said.

Commenting on the spat between Riyadh and Cairo and the decision of Saudi Aramco, Egyptian political analyst Taimour Dwidar suggested that it is an element of political pressure exercised by Saudi Arabia. In his interview with Russia's online newspaper Vzglyad he noted the extremely aggressive reproach towards Egypt within the Saudi ruling elite for its stance on the Syrian conflict. "These remarks are not officially being voiced, however they are coming from high-powered people," he said. He further called the information on the re-establishment of the base in Sidi Barrani a "bogus story" which however "puts Egypt under fire."

The political analyst reminded that Cairo has purchased two Mistral class helicopter carriers from France for the money from the Gulf States. Besides last year it bought French Rafale fighter jets for the Saudi money even though it considered purchasing Russian aircraft. Dwidar however suggested that Cairo won't risk damaging ties with Riyadh for the sake of friendship with Moscow.

"Egypt has the strongest army, it is the youngest Arab nation, it is its own country. I am sure that the Egyptian president will be able to come to an agreement with the Saudi king regardless all the discrepancies," he said.

Former Soviet Ambassador to Egypt (1984-1986) and Permanent Representative of the USSR to the UN (1986-1990) Alexander Belonogov recalled that the relationship between Egypt and Saudi Arabia has been bumpy at times. "It comes from the collision of interests of Egypt and the Saudis in the neighboring countries, such as Yemen or Sudan," he explained. These discrepancies are deeply rooted in history, he said.

However the former diplomat suggested that the two countries will be able to find a common language. "The situations in both countries are far from being at their best, Egypt has not recovered from the shock of the Arab Spring, Saudi Arabia is also not at its best," he noted. "I think they will limit themselves to demonstrative gestures and will get used to one another without bringing the situation to a boil," he said. The former ambassador also commented on Egypt's vote in favor of two draft resolutions. "Cairo is trying to balance between Moscow, the West and Riyadh. Russia fully understands this and so refrains from any sharp accusations," he said.