Don’t count on it.

TEHRAN – Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad urged Egypt on Wednesday to rebuild diplomatic relations with the Islamic Republic, saying the emergence of a new “great power” would force “Zionists” to leave the region.

At a meeting with Egyptian academics, clerics and media representatives in Tehran, Ahmadinejad pushed his plan to rebuild links with Cairo after the overthrow of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in February.

The idea of a rapprochement between Shi’ite-led Iran and Sunni-majority Egypt, the most populous Arab nation, would alarm the United States, Israel and Saudi Arabia.

“Our enemies do not want us rebuild our ties because they know a great political and economic power will emerge from our cooperation,” Ahmadinejad said.

“Then all the Zionists along with other enemies of nations must leave and escape this region.”