(AFP PHOTO/YASSER AL-ZAYYAT)
AFP- The emir of Qatar called Tuesday for “comprehensive dialogue” in Egypt to achieve political stability and insisted on good ties with Cairo, which accuses Doha of supporting banned Islamists.
“We wish Egypt, our elder sister, political stability and all the good for its people,” said Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani at the opening of the Arab Summit in Kuwait.
“We stress on the brotherly links we have with Egypt,” he said.
Relations between Egypt and the Gulf state have been strained over Doha’s backing for Islamist president Mohamed Morsi, who was ousted by the army in July following nationwide protests.
Sheikh Tamim said he hoped that stability in Egypt would be achieved through “a comprehensive dialogue” between the government and all parties – an apparent reference to Morsi’s blacklisted Muslim Brotherhood.
The Brotherhood is banned in much of the region, and the UAE, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia pledged billions of dollars in aid to Egypt after the overthrow of Morsi.
Tensions between Qatar and fellow Gulf states have escalated to unprecedented levels when Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE recalled their ambassadors from Qatar, accusing Doha of interfering in their internal affairs.
