Politics

Egypt, Qatar restore diplomatic ties after years-long rift

Cairo, Jan 20 (efe-epa).- Egypt on Wednesday announced that it has restored diplomatic relations with Qatar, following in the footsteps of Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.

During a Gulf Cooperation Council summit held a couple weeks ago, the three Gulf countries put an end to a crisis with Qatar that broke out in 2017.

“The Arab Republic of Egypt today, 20 January exchanged two official memoranda with the State of Qatar, by virtue of which both countries agreed to resume diplomatic relations,” the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said in a brief statement.

The Gulf countries, as well as Egypt, severed ties with Qatar in 2017, when they accused Doha of sponsoring terrorism and taking the sides of their enemies; Iran and Turkey.

The tension between Egypt and Qatar was driven by Doha’s alleged support to the Islamist movement, the Muslim Brotherhood, which ruled the African country between 2011 and 2013, before they were overthrown by current President Abdul-Fattah al-Sisi.

The so-called “Gulf Crisis” came to an end during the 5 January summit, when Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain and Qatar decided to restore relations after mediation of the United States and neighboring Kuwait. EFE-EPA

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