|
Muslim Brotherhood Hearts Hezbollah? Egyptian Ambassador Invites Relations with Terrorist Group
Signaling just how much Egypt has changed since President Mohammed Morsi and the Muslim Brotherhood took power, Egypts ambassador to Lebanon over the weekend suggested his country is warming to Hezbollah, a group the U.S. defines as a terrorist organization.In a Saturday interview to Lebanons Daily Star, Ambassador Ashraf Hamdy said Egypt will pursue relations with Hezbollah, because the radical Shiite group is a real political and military force in Lebanon. The Jerusalem Post is characterizing his words as a dramatic policy shift. Russia Today is calling the announcement a U-turn in policy since in the past Egypt had accused Hezbollah of operating terror cells in its territory. Hamdys comments are the frankest yet on Egypts rapprochement with the party, and another sign of just how far New Egypts regional foreign policy has shifted from that of the previous regime headed by ousted President Hosni Mubarak, or so says The Daily Star. The ambassador told the paper: You cannot discuss politics in Lebanon without having a relationship with Hezbollah. It is a real force on the ground. It has a big political and military influence in Lebanon. He said Egypts new foreign policy posture is to pursue tight contacts, even with its enemies: We are stretching our hand out in the proper, balanced way to all regional powers, but of course, we will continue to develop our foreign policy according to our interests. Posted by: tipper 2012-12-30 |
| http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=359062 |