Egypt's Mohammed Morsi made the first foreign visit of his presidency to Saudi Arabia in what political observers called an apparent effort to offer assurances about his aims as the most visible symbol of the rise of political Islam in the region, The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday, July 11. The visit by Morsi, who won the presidency as the candidate of the Muslim Brotherhood, takes him to a monarchy wary that homegrown Islamist movements will take encouragement from the political rise of Islamist blocs in countries transformed by Arab Spring uprisings. Morsi’s visit is likely intended to assure the kingdom Egypt will make no deals that weaken Saudi Arabia against Iran or Syria, experts said. Morsi and Egypt’s military leaders also need Saudi financial assistance to help pull Egypt out of an economic crisis that followed last year’s uprising.