Saudi Arabia and Egypt Reject US Democracy View

26/02/2004| IslamWeb

Saudi Arabia and Egypt have told the US that they reject its plan to democratise the Arab world without tackling core issues that have tormented the region for decades. Riyadh and Cairo have also said in unison that the Western model of democracy does not necessarily fit a region largely driven by Islamic teachings.The two capitals used a brief trip by Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak here to give the thumbs-down to the US "Greater Middle East Initiative". The leaders of the two countries "affirmed that Arab states proceed on the path of development, modernisation and reform in keeping with their people's interests and values," said a joint statement. Modernisation and reform must also fulfill their people's needs and be compatible with "their specificities and Arab identity," it added. US Secretary of State Colin Powell said earlier this month that Washington was considering a major international initiative aimed at encouraging democratic reforms in the greater Middle East and looking for ways to "institutionalise" such a project. Mubarak also said Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Syria will unveil a joint plan to reform the Arab League next month, to make it an "efficient institution". **PHOTO CAPTION*** Hosni Mubarak (L) with Saudi Prince Abdallah. (Al-Jazeera)