Egypt's Foreign Minister Nabil El-Arabi has called for better relations with Iran
The Gulf states are disturbed about signals coming out of post-revolution Cairo indicating an Egyptian intention to improve relations with Iran, according to an article published by the Kuwaiti daily Al-Qabbas this morning. Egypt's Prime Minister Essam Sharaf was due to start a tour of four Gulf states today, but the tour which, initially, had been postponed till next week, which Egyptian sources had attributed to pressing concerns at home, is now to begin tomorrow Monday.
The Kuwaiti newspaper, on the other hand, seemed to hint that the postponement was due to Gulf concerns over Egypt's regional policy post-revolution. The paper said there was a consensus among the Gulf states that Egypt should resume its "crucial" regional role, but that the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council are worried about the “multiplicity” of views in Cairo vis-a-vis the Gulf and Egyptian-Iranian relations in particular.
The newspaper, which is close to the Kuwaiti ruling family, quoted high-level Gulf sources as saying that Egypt has been sent "a clear message" expressing “deep concern” over official statements being made by Cairo calling for strengthening ties with Iran, even as the Egyptian prime minister readies to embark on a Gulf tour aimed at securing Gulf economic assistance and investments in Egypt. The newspaper said that the Gulf states were especially concerned that an Egyptian-Iranian rapprochement would be at their expense.
Al-Qabbas quoated one senior Gulf source as saying: “We are not saying that the Egyptian position is wavering, but there is a divergence in views and positions (in Egyptian decision making circles). The Military Council is upholding its position of bolstering Gulf security, but there are other positions that call for the opening of channels and relations with Iran.”
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