UAE and Egypt united on Qatar
Sheikh Mohammed and Sisi condemn funding of terrorism
CAIRO // Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed flew to Cairo yesterday for talks with Egypt’s president Abdel Fattah El Sisi on the fight against terrorism.
The visit by the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces came amid the dispute with Qatar over the emirate’s support for extremist groups and links with Iran. Sheikh Mohammed and Mr El Sisi “stressed the importance for all Arab states and the international community of fighting terrorism, especially stopping the funding of terrorist groups and providing political and media cover”, Cairo said.
Qatar’s isolation could last for years if it does not stop supporting extremists and terrorist groups, Dr Anwar Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, said yesterday.
A list of grievances Arab nations had with Qatar would be finished soon and Doha needed to move beyond denial and anger, he said.
“Qatar will realise that this is a new state of affairs and isolation can last years,” Dr Gargash said. “If they want to be isolated because of their perverted view of what their political role is then let them be isolated.”
He also urged Turkey, which has supported Qatar, to remain balanced and understand that it was in its interest to support Arab efforts.
Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt cut diplomatic ties and transport links on June 5 over Doha’s support for militant groups in Libya, Yemen and Syria, and ties to the Muslim Brotherhood.
“We don’t really see an escalation, but isolation,” Dr Gargash said. “You are part of our team but you keep scoring an own goal.”
He said there was a risk that Iran and Turkey would try to fill the vacuum caused by the rift.
“It’s early days. Turkey is trying to balance between its ideological zeal and its national interests. Let’s hope they are wise and understand that it’s in their best interest, what we are doing.”
He said that when Qatar did back down there would be a need to monitor its activities in the region, something western powers could undertake.
“There is no trust. So far it’s an idea to create a monitoring system – France, Britain, the US or Germany could monitor because they have the diplomatic clout and technical know-how.”