Egypt is ready to support the people of southern Sudan in establishing a new state if Sudan's referendum results in their secession, an official from the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said on Monday.
In a speech before parliament, Mohamed Morsi, assistant foreign minister, said that Egypt is "prepared to train the southern Sudanese to build their new state in the event of secession."
Morsi said that the division of Sudan will have repercussions for the entire region, and the fragile newborn state will have implications for Egypt's national security.
The fallout could have an impact on the Nile Basin as well, since a new state, the political orientations of which are as yet unknown, will be added to it.
Morsi said the south, with its more African character, will be more inclined to open up to Africa. He said the Arab world should therefore keep good relations with southern Sudan, regardless of whether or not it joins the Arab League.
As Arabs we should not abandon the south, said Morsi. "This is a message that we convey to the West and the US."
Egyptian MPs have called for bolstering cooperation with southern Sudan in order to prevent Israel from spreading its influence there, saying the separation of the south is a blow to Egyptian national security.
