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Retired Saudi general denies GCC-Egypt rift

December 20, 2016 at 3:27 pm

Retired Saudi General Anwar Eshki has denied that the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) was angry with Egypt over its accusations against Qatar of planning the bombing attack against the Petrine Church in Cairo.

“The GCC countries are not angry with Egypt, because it is an Islamic and an Arab country and the differences that exist between them are differences in views similar to those occurring between brothers,” Eshki told reporters.

He ruled that the GCC’s statement, in which it rejected Egypt’s accusations against Qatar, reflects the level of relations between Egypt and the Gulf Cooperation Council, saying it merely “reflects a particular position”, and would not affect relations, especially as they are bound with a strategic objective which is maintaining Arab national security.

In a statement broadcast on state TV, Egypt said it had identified members of the “terrorist cell” involved in the bombing of a Coptic church in Cairo on 11 December, and traced their leadership to a branch of Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood group residing in Qatar.