Adel Emam: 'I did not attack Saudi Arabia'

Egyptian film legend Adel Emam has denied that he attacked Saudi Arabia on social media.

Emam told al-Araby al-Jadeed that the remarks were posted on a fake Facebook page and that he has nothing but respect for the Gulf kingdom.

The message, purportedly written by Emam, urged Egypt's president, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, not to engage Egyptian troops in the Saudi-led war on the Houthis in Yemen.

"Do not rush in sending our beloved men to Yemen... Yemen is not Egypt's battlefield... the blood of the Egyptians and the Yemenis is precious and Yemenis have been our brothers for so long," the post read.

It went on to praise Egypt, Yemen and the Arab world.

It is enough to mull over the king's stance on Egypt, which he considered his second home. Adel Emam, actor

The Egyptian actor, who has been in more 100 films, said that he has immense respect for the late Saudi king, Abdullah.

Just like any other Egyptian citizen, the actor added, he is grateful for everything the Gulf state has done for his people.

"It is enough to mull over the king's stance on Egypt, which he considered his second home. He was a dear brother and has always offered a helping hand,” he told al-Araby al-Jadeed.

"How could we return his favour by attacking his nation? When did the Egyptians become that impolite?"

Emam said that he did not engage in social media and first became aware of the fake account when Amr Adib, an Egyptian journalist, called him to discuss the remarks.

When confronted, Emam expressed surprise and asked to go live on the radio to refute the statements on the fake Facebook account.

"I am not a Facebook fan and I am too old for these social networks. I am not a teenager to vent out my emotions on these social media platforms which invade our very privacy," he said.

Emam said that he has turned down a suggestion from his son to create an official Facebook page run by a social media specialist.

He also hinted that he will not pursue the person who set up the fake account in court.

Emam is currently working on his next film A Professor and Head of Department, which is due to be released this coming Ramadan.

This article is an edited translation from our Arabic edition.