Bahraini Foreign Minister Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa disclosed Egyptian-Qatari communications, saying that efforts to restore the severed ties has made great strides.
However, no Egyptian official comments were made on remarks by the Bahraini minister.
Speaking on the sidelines of the NATO and Gulf Security Conference to the London-based Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper, Al-Khalifa said that the decision to support Egypt during the Gulf summit was clear. "We all agreed on it as Egypt’s stability is ours too," he said.
The minister also denounced ‘amplification of issues’ saying that the Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad was the first one to congratulate President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on elections. He added that the bilateral ties between Cairo and Doha are now better.
Informed Arab diplomatic source told Al-Masry Al-Youm that large efforts are made to contain the Egyptian-Qatari conflicts, expecting the few coming days to see important developments on rapprochement between the two countries.
Large efforts have been made by Saudi Arabia, which is pressuring the two countries to end the disputes, the source said. Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdel Aziz believes it’s necessary to end the conflicts between Cairo and Doha at this time at which the region is witnessing regional and international encroachment, which requires Arab unity, the source added.
Meanwhile, Hany Khallaf, former deputy foreign minister for Arab affairs, expected news disclosed by the Bahraini foreign minister to be true. “I expect intervention by other countries, not only Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates, but also Kuwait and Jordan in addition to European countries and the United States. The Arab League chief might have played role to restore the Egyptian-Qatari ties.”
Cairo is dealing reasonably with Arab countries, Khallaf said adding that Qatar recently showed signs that indicate a reverse in stance toward Egypt.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
