Egypt backs Saudi Arabia in spat with Iran

Egypt's foreign minister has denounced the attacks on Saudi diplomatic missions in Iran as "unacceptable."

Sameh Shoukry said during a visit to Riyadh on Tuesday that Iranian behavior following sheikh Nimr al-Nimr's execution is tantamount to "intervening in the kingdom's internal affairs."

The Egyptian diplomat also reaffirmed his country's support for Saudi Arabia ahead of an upcoming meeting of foreign ministers at the Arab League that is due to discuss the Iran-Saudi spat.

He says the "security of the kingdom is an integral part of Egypt's security and Egypt's security is an integral part of the kingdom's security."

Saudi Arabia has supported Egypt as it struggles with a growing insurgency and economic downturn.

Several Saudi allies have rallied the kingdom's side, with a number of nations following its lead in either cutting or reducing diplomatic ties with Iran. Egypt cut ties with Iran in 1989.