Qatari Prince calls for political dialogue in Egypt, stresses 'brotherly links'
Ahram Online, Tuesday 25 Mar 2014
Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad speaks out at Arab League summit in Kuwait, stressing that Arab countries shouldn't label dissenting groups as 'terrorists'


The Emir of Qatar has urged Egypt to open a political dialogue between its government and all political parties.

Speaking at the Arab League summit in Kuwait on Monday, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad also said that while all Arab countries condemned terrorism, "we shouldn't label whole sects as terrorists or use the label to describe those who don't agree with us politically."

"It is inappropriate that those who fail to preserve their national unity would accuse other Arab states of supporting terrorism in his country," Bin Hamad added.

Qatari-Egyptian relations have deteriorated since the ouster of former president Mohamed Morsi, as the Qatari government was a supporter of the Muslim Brotherhood and Morsi during the Islamist president's troubled one-year rule.

Egypt's interim authorities have since accused Qatar and its satellite TV station Al-Jazeera of being biased in favour of the outlawed Brotherhood, which was deemed a terrorist organisation by the Egyptian government in December, a decision that was later upheld by a Cairo court in February.

Despite the recent fallout, Bin Hamad insisted that Qatar was keen on maintaining strong relations with Egypt, stressing "the brotherly links" between the two countries.

"We wish Egypt, our elder sister, political stability and all the good for its people," he said, adding that he hoped such things would be achieved through democratic dialogue.

Bin Hamad also stressed that Qatar condemns the recent terrorist attacks that have taken place in the region lately.

The Arab League summit in Kuwait was scheduled for a two-day session. However, it was announced on Tuesday that the Arab leaders would meet for just a day.

The Arab League's Secretary-General Nabil El-Arabi has stated that the summit will discuss the Syrian and Palestinian conflicts and other issues concerning the region.

Kuwaiti Prince Sabah Al-Ahmed also spoke at the summit, stressing that Kuwait backed Egypt's aspirations and the implementation of its transitional road map.

Egypt's interim President Adly Mansour travelled to Kuwait on Monday to attend the summit.

Mansour'sparticipation in the talks will focus on relations and cooperation with other Arab countries to overcome the region's current dangers, reported Al-Ahram.

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