CAIRO: The Muslim Brotherhood distanced itself from the case of the Hezbollah terror cell after former members of the group were implicated in the activities of the alleged cell.
A statement by the group Saturday indicated that Egyptian national security was a “red line that cannot be tampered with. The group expressed its refusal of any threat, whether through using its territory for covert military operations or through political and financial corruption.
The Brotherhood also condemned those who are complicit in the siege of Gaza, and who prevent the influx of food and medical supplies to the Strip.
The case had developed to encompass former members of the Muslim Brotherhood, as the State Security Prosecutor’s Office questioned a former member of the banned group, Nassar Gibril, who resides in Sinai.
However, the chief suspect in the case, Samy Hany Shihab told the investigators that while he knew Gibril, he had never commissioned him to carry out any operations.
Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit stated that the investigations were in the hands of the Prosecutor General and was to be referred to the courts soon, after which more details would be released.
Lebanese President Michel Suleiman said in an interview with the pan-Arab newspaper Al-Hayat Saturday that he had been using discrete diplomacy to maintain friendly relations with Egypt in the fallout of the announcement about the cell.
“Our policy on this issue is quiet and serious – to solve it so that this will not affect the cordial relations between Lebanon and Egypt, he said, “We shouldn’t talk much about this issue. The state is doing its job and the president is trying to find a fair and quiet solution to all.
Egypt’s allegations have raised concern about possible Hezbollah activity beyond Lebanon’s borders at a time when the guerrilla group and political movement, together with its allies, stands a good chance of dominating the country’s June 7 parliamentary elections.
The United States and its allies among Arab governments like Egypt’s are also fearful that an electoral win by Hezbollah and its allies would increase the sway of the group’s backers Iran and Syria.
Arab League Secretary Amr Moussa was in Beirut and fielded questions on the case with unusual reticence. “This issue is to be left to ongoing diplomatic initiatives, there is no need to talk about this now, he said when asked about it by reporters.
“I represent the Arab League, if you have any question concerning the Egyptian stance then I urge you to pose your question to the Egyptian ambassador, he added, “However, I would like to refer your attention to President Michel Suleiman’s statements to the daily Al-Hayat when he spoke of quiet and diplomatic efforts that he is undertaking as are others.
