Gulf states voice support for Egypt’s fight against terrorism
GCC earlier stood by Qatar in a row with Egypt over intervention in Libya
Gulf Arab states voiced their support on Thursday for Egypt’s fight against terrorism, hours after having issued a statement criticizing Cairo in a row with Qatar.
In a statement by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Gulf states said they were supporting measures taken by President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi in “all areas,” in reference to the Egyptian president's recent decision to bomb ISIS targets in Libya.
The GCC said Egypt had the right to protect its security. “The security of Egypt is part of the Gulf security,” the statement said.
The oil and gas rich bloc of nations said the situation in the region required “close relationship” between brothers.
Earlier, the GCC voiced support for Qatar in its row with Egypt, which accused Doha of supporting “terrorism” during discussions about Cairo’s air strikes on jihadist targets in Libya, according to AFP.
GCC secretary general Abdullatif al-Zayani “rejects accusations by Egypt’s permanent envoy at the Arab League that Qatar supports terrorism,” said an earlier GCC statement.
Zayani said the accusations are “unfounded, contradict reality, and ignore the sincere efforts by Qatar as well as the Gulf Cooperation Council and Arab states in combatting terrorism and extremism at all levels.”
Qatar has recalled its ambassador to Egypt over the spat.
