CAIRO: Egypt’s Grand Mufti Shawki Allam said here Thursday that the visit of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman would ensure stronger ties between the two old allies, and help resolve the political and economic challenges facing the Arab world.

In a statement, Allam said the talks between King Salman and Egyptian President Abdul Fattah El-Sisi has come at an opportune time because it would allow the two leaders to discuss critical issues on the region’s stability and security, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

He said the two nations have always had close relations, which have stood in good stead in the fight against terrorist groups. There have also been several religious agreements signed between the two sides.

Allam praised Saudi Arabia for supporting the country, particularly after the June 30 revolution. This was in reference to the events in 2013 when popular protests saw the overthrow of Muhammad Mursi.

Meanwhile, Egypt’s Endowments Minister Mohammed Mukhtar Jumma said the talks between the two countries would help foil plots against the Arabs because there would be further coordination on several fronts, the Saudi Press Agency reported him as saying in a statement.