UAE demands Egypt's explanation on Muslim Brotherhood's statement

Abu Dhabi, Mar 12(ANI): The United Arab Emirates has officially demanded an explanation from Egypt for Muslim Brotherhood spokesperson Mahmoud Gozlan's statements against the country.

"I wish that the brotherly Egyptian government will explain its stand over Gozlan's disgraceful comments against the UAE," the Gulf News quoted UAE Foreign Minister Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan's tweet, as saying.

"Gozlan's statements regretfully provide evidence of bad intent," Shaikh Abdullah added.

According to media reports, Gozlan said the "entire Muslim world" would act against the UAE if influential cleric Yousuf Al Qaradawi, who criticised the UAE after several Syrians were deported following a demonstration against their regime, was arrested.

The Muslim Brotherhood statement came after Dubai Police Chief Lieutenant General Dahi Khalfan Tamim vowed to arrest Al Qaradawi if he renewed his criticism of the UAE.

Gulf Co-operation Council Secretary General Dr Abdul Latif Al Zayani had earlier condemned Al Qaradawi's statements as "irresponsible". eanwhile, the Syrian National Council has rejected media reports that it has asked Qaradawi to mediate on the issue of several Syrians whose residence visas in the UAE have been cancelled.

The Muslim Brotherhood is a major player in Egyptian politics, with its Freedom and Justice Party having won the majority of seats in parliament following a popular uprising that toppled Hosni Mubarak. (ANI)