Our basic objective will be the destruction of Israel. The Arab people want to fight President Nasser of Egypt

But it seems they have found a common enemy in Israel.

Tensions in the region have been building for the last three weeks since Egypt increased its military presence in the Sinai Peninsular and ordered the United Nations Emergency Force off Egyptian territory.

On 22 May President Nasser closed the Straits of Tiran to Israeli shipping.

Five days later he declared: "Our basic objective will be the destruction of Israel. The Arab people want to fight."

Unannounced visit

Today, King Hussein was met at Almaza military airport by the president on an unannounced visit to the Egyptian capital, Cairo.

Five hours later, Cairo Radio announced the two leaders had signed the deal stating that "the two countries consider any attack on either of them is an attack on both and will take measures including the use of armed forces to repulse such an attack".

The five-year deal paves the way for the creation of a defence council and joint command. General Mohammed Fawzy, Egypt's Chief of Staff, would command military operations in case of war.

After the agreement was signed, President Nasser thanked his "dear brother" King Hussein for coming to Cairo and said any differences between their nations had been erased "in one moment".

King Hussein then flew back to the Jordanian capital, Amman, accompanied by the chairman of the Palestinian Liberation Organisation, Ahmed Shukairy. He is in charge of commando forces in the Gaza strip bordering Israel.

Israel says the pact has greatly increased the danger of an all out-war between Israel and the Arab states.

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