Qatari diplomat summoned over calls for ‘dialogue’

Qatar’s ambassador to Cairo was summoned by Assistant Foreign Minister for Arab Affairs Ambassador Nasser Kamel on Saturday. Kamel said that Egypt rejects a statement issued Friday by the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the political situation in Egypt.

In its statement, the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its concern about what it described as the increasing number of victims in protests and the mounting number of deaths in Egypt. Thirteen people were reported killed on Friday as protesters continued to demonstrate against the interim government.

The statement added that labeling political movements as terrorist groups and considering protests acts of destruction and terrorism would not stop peaceful protests but only paved the way for more violence against protesters.

“What is happening in Egypt is proof that confrontation and mobilization does not lead to stability,” the statement read in part. It concluded by saying that the only way to solve the current situation in Egypt is to create a dialogue between the state and all political forces, without exception.

Egypt’s Cabinet declared the banned Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist organization on December 25.

Ambassador Badr Abdel Atty, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, denounced the Qatari statement and said Egypt had summoned the Qatari ambassador in Cairo, considered a serious diplomatic step. He was speaking in a telephone interview broadcast Saturday on privately owned CBC television.

Abdel Atty said that Egypt rejects Qatari interference in its internal affairs. He said that “the unacceptable practices” of the Qatari-based Al Jazeerah television channel were also discussed with the ambassador. Three staff of the channel based in Cairo were arrested in late December and accused of being members of the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood. They remain in detention, remanded for 15 days pending investigations.

Abdel Atty added that any country attempting to meddle in Egypt’s internal affairs will have to “deal with the consequences,” and will be held responsible for its actions.

About the situation of Egyptian expatriates in Qatar, Abdel Atty said that relations between the Qatari and Egyptian people remain excellent. He added, “Expats will continue in their role as contributors in the Qatari economy.”  

Asked whether the Qatari Ambassador would remain in Egypt or leave, Abdel Atty said that summoning an ambassador is a serious diplomatic move, and it was up to the Qatari diplomat to respond to the message in whatever way he finds suitable, whether in person or by mail.