LONDON - Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah told US President Barack Obama that his country would prop up Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak if the United States withdrew its aid programme, The Times said on Thursday.

Related readings:  Egyptian govt to move forward with reforms  Obama urges 'immediate, orderly' transition in Egypt  Al-Qaida in Iraq urges people to wage Jihad in Egypt  US demands immediate end to Egypt's emergency law

Abdullah told Obama not to humiliate Mubarak, who is under pressure from protesters to quit immediately, in a telephone call on Jan 29, the newspaper said, citing a senior source in Riyadh.

Obama's administration has wavered between support for Egypt in Washington's conflict with militant Islam and backing for Egyptians who have been protesting for weeks to demand Mubarak and his government quit.

The United States has long nurtured its alliance with key ally Egypt, giving billions of dollars in aid as it seeks to influence affairs in the region.

The United States has stopped short of endorsing calls for Mubarak, 82, to leave office immediately. He said last week he would step down in September when an election is due.

On Jan 28, the White House said the United States would review $1.5 billion in aid to Egypt. Officials later said no such review was planned currently.