Protocol in the Desert

In Yenbo bay the royal Egyptian yacht Mahroussa lay elegantly at anchor. From her graceful cutaway stern the royal Egyptian standard flapped idly in a Red Sea breeze. The rocky hills echoed with right royal salvos fired in salutation between ship and shore. Smart young King Farouk of Egypt had come to call on wise old King Ibn Saud of Saudi Arabia.

Onto the Mahroussa's immaculate deck stalked the eldest of Ibn Saud's 40 sons, a dozen of his dignitaries. King Farouk inclined his plump person in a cordial bow. Then they all went ashore, where a city of silken tents had sprung up overnight. For the first time ever, massive, majestic Ibn Saud, absolute ruler of the biggest, near-medieval Arab state, and King Farouk, ruler of the wealthiest, most progressive Arab state, exchanged the traditional obeisances of greeting. The two sovereigns had long been rivals for the leadership of still unborn Pan-Arabia.

Later the Kings reviewed Ibn Saud's bodyguard of Wahabis ("Puritan" Moslems), who wear their hair braided and march in sweeping, dun-colored abaat (gowns). Then the monarchs sat down to a banquet in the sumptuous Hejaz style. The great table groaned under the weight of sweetmeats and whole barbecued sheep. In high good humor, Ibn Saud told brave tales of his youth. For hours the feasting continued, while the Wahabis made the night ring with martial songs and poems flattering the royal Egyptian guest.

Pan-Arab Portent. But the Kings had forgathered for more than fun. Their meeting, more than a symbol of union between the opposite ends of the Pan-Arab political axis, was a portent of Pan-Arabia itself. A Pan-Arab protocol had already been signed in Alexandria by Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq and Transjordan (TIME, Oct. 16). But a Pan-Arabia without Saudi Arabia was merely a desert mirage. Not that Ibn Saud was hostile to the idea. But he believed that Allah had entrusted him with the divine mission of knitting all Arabs into one nation. Knowing this, Farouk had sent his Minister of Arab Affairs, patient Abdel Rahman Azzam Bey, to win over Ibn Saud. Last month the equally patient potentate, who acts only on his own terms, accepted the protocol. Forthwith Farouk himself sailed for Yenbo to pay his personal respects to the older King.

Next day the old King graciously invited the young King to pray in the Mosque of Medina, before the tomb of the Prophet himself.

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