Prince Saud had arrived here earlier Thursday on an unexpected visit for what Egypt's official MENA news agency said were talks "in the framework of continued coordination in regard to the quickening developments seen by the region in light of the situation in Iraq."

Cairo and Riyadh both opposed the US-British invasion of Iraq and they both issued calls Wednesday for Iraqis to take over their own government, and for UN involvement in post-war Iraq.

"I ask American President George Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair to work to ensure stability in Iraq and set up institutions in order to avoid the chaos which is surrently reigning," Mubarak told reporters after his talks.

"A transitional government should then be formed as quickly as possible."

Baghdad in particular fell victim to an orgy of looting by its inhabitants Wednesday as US forces took over the city. It was still going on unchecked on Thursday.

"We did not expect this sudden collapse in Iraq, and even the United States and Great Britain did not expect it," Mubarak said.

The Saudi foreign minister added: "Egypte and Saudi Arabia call for the insecurity to be tackled in Iraq as well as the problems which could degenerate into a total collapse of law and order."

Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher said that both Egypt and Saudi Arabia demanded that the Iraqi people "choose their government freely and quickly."

He added that both countries would work to "preserve Iraq's territorial integrity, unity and sovereignty."

Maher said his Saudi opposite number had given Mubarak a message from Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz, the country's de facto ruler, and that Cairo and Riyadh would consult with other Arab countries.

SPACE.WIRE