(AFP PHOTO / KHALED DESOUKI)
Egypt is set on activating the decision to consider the Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist organisation using the Arab Convention for the Suppression of Terrorism, said Foreign Minister Nabil Fahmy on Sunday.
During a speech before Arab foreign ministers in the Arab League Fahmy said activating the decision would necessitate signatories to avoid harbouring terrorists or advocates of terrorism, avoid funding terrorism and providing cooperation from “everyone” in the extradition of those wanted or convicted in terrorism cases.
Fahmy’s speech comes after the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) foreign ministry announced full support for the Saudi decision to consider the Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist organisation and described the Saudi decision as a “significant step”, Emirati state-agency WAM reported.
Saudi Arabia announced on Friday that the Brotherhood would be listed as a terror organisation along with two Syrian jihadi groups. The UAE said it will not spare an effort to cooperate with Saudi Arabia in tackling those terrorist groups by “liquidating all forms of material and moral support in all circumstances.”
Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday welcomed Saudi Arabia’s decision to list the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organisation. Foreign
Foreign Minister Fahmy said the decision also requires setting up a special, urgent meeting that includes Arabic justice and interior ministers within the framework of the convention and with the purpose of looking into the level of commitment to implementing the convention and its operational procedures.
Egypt’s foreign ministry spokesman Badr Abdelatty stated on Saturday that the Egypt has sent letters around the world to explain the “legal tests” associated with the decision in order “to explain this matter to the different capitals of the world.”
On 25 December, the Egyptian government deemed the Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist organisation and that the organisation will be legally accountable under Article 86 of the Egyptian Penal Code.
Both Saudi Arabia and the UAE were quick to announce support for Egypt’s interim government, which came to power on 3 July following the ouster of former president Mohamed Morsi. Within days of Morsi’s ouster, Saudi Arabia, the Emirates and Kuwait pledged billions of dollars in aid to Egypt. The value of the Emirati aid was $3bn, including a $1bn grant to Egypt and a $2bn loan. Saudi Arabia pledged $5bn in aid in petroleum products, deposits and grants.
