Egypt raises state of alert, wary of Qatar crisis backlash
Cairo- Egypt is preparing for backlash over its decision to cut diplomatic ties with Doha in response to Qatar’s alleged financing of terrorist groups, raising the state of alert and beefing up security across the country.
“There are expectations that the pace of terrorist operations will accelerate after Egypt cut its diplomatic ties with Qatar,” said Mohamed Bilal, former Egyptian Army deputy chief of staff.
Cairo accused Doha of supporting the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood, which it has designated as a terrorist organisation. Several Brotherhood figures, including many convicted in absentia of terrorism-related offences, sought refuge in Qatar.
“Qatar is directly involved in funding terrorist operations in Egypt and I think the authorities will come up with proof of this in the coming days,” said Bilal, who was commander of Egypt’s forces during the 1991 Gulf War.
A senior security official informed Egypt’s state-run Middle East News Agency of government fears that unspecified terrorist groups could seek to use “regional developments” to launch attacks in Egypt.
Egypt’s Interior Ministry raised the level of alert around the country, including beefing up security near likely targets, such as police stations, banks, embassies and places of worship, especially churches and monasteries.
http://www.thearabweekly.com/News-&-Analysis/8682/Egypt-raises-state-of-alert%2C-wary-of-Qatar-crisis-backlash
