The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has summoned Qatar’s ambassador to Egypt, Saif Moqadam Al-Boenain, for a meeting, according to a statement by a ministry spokesman on Saturday.

 

The statement did not explain the reason for the move.

 

Earlier on Saturday, Qatar issued a statement criticising a crackdown by Egyptian security forces on Islamist protesters in recent months.

 

Qatar was a close ally of former president Mohamed Morsi, who hails from the Muslim Brotherhood.

 

Relations between Qatar and Egypt have been strained since the ouster of Morsi in July.