Qatar gives ‘full support’ to Egypt

It comes a day after Egyptian president Abdel Fattah El Sisi met a Qatari envoy in Cairo.

DOHA // Qatar has pledged its “full support” to Egypt, ending more than a year of regional isolation over its support for Cairo’s ousted Islamist president.

“The security of Egypt is important for the security of Qatar... the two countries are linked by deep and fraternal ties,” said a statement from the office of Qatar’s Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

The statement came a day after Egyptian president Abdel Fattah El Sisi met a Qatari envoy in Cairo.

After the meeting with Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdel Rahman Al Thani, Mr El Sisi’s office issued a statement saying: “Egypt looks forward to a new era that ends past disagreements.”

Yesterday, Qatar thanked Saudi Arabia for its mediation in a diplomatic crisis that saw three Gulf states pull their ambassadors from Doha.

Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain recalled their envoys following Qatar’s support for the Muslim Brotherhood after Islamist Egyptian president Mohammed Morsi was toppled last year.

Qatar had repeatedly denounced Mr Morsi’s removal, and still provides shelter for many Brotherhood leaders, especially those who have been forced to flee a crackdown in Egypt.

According to the pan-Arab daily Asharq Al Awsat, Mr El Sisi and Mr Al Thani are expected to meet in Riyadh soon for a summit hosted by Saudi Arabi’s King Abdullah.

* Agence France-Presse