By 661 the Umayyads had taken firm control of the new Muslim state, which it ruled from Damascus. The Caliph Mu'awiya could see the foreign lands west of Egypt in terms of the Muslim contest with the Byzantine Empire.
by 661 the umayyads had taken firm control of the new muslim state which it ruled from damascus the caliph mu'awiya could see the foreign lands west of egypt in terms of the muslim contest with the byzantine empire