Since 1998 Alwaleed has invested $127 million in 100, 00 acres (40, 470 hectares) of land in the Nile River delta Tushka agricultural project (also known as Toshka).

It seems unlikely, however, that Alwaleed would so quickly give up the land in Egypt.

AHMED WALI KARZAI sighs wearily as he recounts the latest bit of bad news. "They just shot another elder from Arghandab." Haji Daoud or someone.