Feud intensfies among Arab states

Egypt's foreign ministry said it will not return its ambassador to Qatar, a move that looks to further diplomatically isolate the Persian Gulf state on the same day that three other Arab countries withdrew their ambassadors from Doha. Nasr Kamel, an aide to Egypt's foreign minister, said that the ambassador – who has been in Egypt since early February – will not be returned for political reasons, Ahram Online reported. Kamel said the decision was in protest over Qatari intervention in Egypt's internal affairs and for not handing over the Egyptians wanted by prosecutors on criminal charges, according to Al-Ahram's Arabic news website. Relations between Egypt and Qatar have soured since the ouster of Islamist president Mohamed Mursi last July. Egypt's interim authorities have accused Qatar of backing Mursi and the Muslim Brotherhood, from which he hailed. Kamel's statements on Wednesday come hours after Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain issued a joint statement withdrawing their ambassadors from Qatar. In the statement, the three Persian Gulf states said that Qatar had failed to honor a (Persian) Gulf Cooperation Council agreement regarding "non-intervention in other states' internal affairs and refraining from supporting all who threaten the security of the council." The move by Saudi, the UAE and Bahrain proves that Qatar is in dispute with most Arab States and not just Egypt, Kamel said. He added that Qatar must realign its position on common interests and solidarity with Arab countries by refraining from situations that fuel discord and division. Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain have pledged billions of dollars in economic aid to Egypt's interim government since Mursi's ouster. Kamel concluded that Qatar has been broadcasting false information regarding developments in Egypt, a reference to the Qatari-owned Al-Jazeera news channel. Egypt is currently prosecuting 20 journalists working for Al-Jazeera English, including four foreigners. The 16 Egyptians are charged with joining a terrorist organization – a reference to the Muslim Brotherhood, officially designated a terrorist group in December – as well as harming national unity and social peace. The foreigners – an Australian, two Brits and a Dutch – are accused of "airing false news" in order to "undermine the state's status and disrupt public security," according to the prosecution. Eight defendants are being held in custody while the others, including the two Brits, are being tried in absentia.