(AFP PHOTO/GIANLUIGI GUERCIA)
Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday welcomed Saudi Arabia’s decision to list the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organisation.
Spokesman for the ministry Badr Abdelatty said Egypt also “looks forward to” other Arab states following suit as per the 1998 Arab Convention for the Suppression of Terrorism. Abdelatty affirmed that the move reflects the Egyptian government’s decision to label the Brotherhood a terrorist group in December.
Saudi Arabia announced on Friday that the Brotherhood would be listed as a terror organisation along with two Syrian jihadi groups.
Abdelatty said Egypt is “looking forward” the implementation of this convention, which would see the removal of any political or financial support for any group listed as a terror organisation as well as compelling the judicial extradition of any wanted persons.
The spokesman stated that the Egypt has sent letters around the world to explain the “legal tests” associated with the decision in order “to explain this matter to the different capitals of the world.”
Saudi Arabia has been a staunch supporter of Egypt’s interim government since former president Mohamed Morsi was overthrown in July 2013. Morsi was the Muslim Brotherhood’s presidential candidate in the 2012 elections.
“Cooperation and coordination between Cairo and Riyadh before and after the recent Saudi decision,” Abdelatty said. “This cooperation aims to spread the tolerant teachings of Islam and fight religious extremism.”