Egypt ‘rejects Qatari interference’ after call for political dialogue

Egypt’s foreign ministry has rejected statements by the Qatari foreign minister suggesting that Egypt should have a political dialogue which includes all parties.

Egypt “rejects Qatar’s interference” in its domestic affairs, foreign ministry spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid stated on the foreign ministry’s official Facebook page on Saturday.

Abu Zeid said that such interference is “unacceptable”, adding that the Muslim Brotherhood is officially a terrorist group “according to Egyptians”.

On Friday, Qatari Foreign Minister Khalid bin Mohammed Al-Attiyah told Al-Arabiyah channel that Qatar wishes Egypt to have a political dialogue, including all its political parties. Al-Attiyah said that Qatar is in constant contact with political parties in Egypt and is willing to be a mediator if asked to be so, but can never interfere in Egypt’s internal affairs.

Qatari-Egyptian relations soured after the ouster of Mohamed Morsi and the crackdown on his Muslim Brotherhood group. Egypt accuses Qatar of supporting the now-banned Muslim Brotherhood.

Egypt’s authorities have also accused Qatari network Al Jazeera of being biased in favour of the Brotherhood.

source:Ahram Online