SEVEN EGYPTIAN FIGURES ASKED TO LEAVE QATAR

Cairo, 19 Dzulqa’dah 1435/14 September 2014 (MINA) – Seven Egyptian figures, including members and allies of the Muslim Brotherhood, have been asked to leave Qatar this week, according to the Masr Al-Arabiya news website.

The Brotherhood sources confirming that preacher Wagdi Ghoneim in addition to Amr Darrag, Gamal Abdel-Sattar, Essam Teleima, Ashraf Badr El-Din, Mahmoud Hussein and Hamza Zawbaa — all either members of the Brotherhood or its now defunct political arm, the Freedom and Justice Party (FJP) — were asked to leave the country, Ahramonline quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

FJP figure Darrag released a statement, published by Ikhwanweb, saying “We appreciate the great role of the State of Qatar in supporting the Egyptian people in their revolution against the military junta and well understand the circumstances faced by the region.”

He added: “In order to avoid causing any embarrassment for the State of Qatar, which we found to be a very welcoming and supportive host, some symbols of the Muslim Brotherhood and its political wing — the Freedom and Justice Party — who were asked by authorities to move their residence outside the State of Qatar, have now honoured that request.”

Qatar, known to be a strong supporter of the Brotherhood, has come under attack by Egypt and its neighbouring Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, for backing the group.

Since the ouster of president Mohamed Morsi last July, many Brotherhood figures and allies have fled Egypt, mostly to Qatar or Turkey.

Thousands of Brotherhood members and allies, including Morsi and Brotherhood Supreme Guide Mohamed Badie, are now behind bars facing numerous accusations and trials.(T/R04/P3)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)