Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah

Qatar has pledged its “full support” to Egypt, an official statement said, ending more than a year of regional isolation over its support for Cairo’s ousted Islamist president.

“The security of Egypt is important for the security of Qatar… the two countries are linked by deep and fraternal ties,” said a statement from the office of the Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani.

The statement came a day after Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi met in Cairo with a Qatari envoy.

After the meeting with Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdel Rahman Al-Thani, El-Sissi’s office issued a statement saying: “Egypt looks forward to a new era that ends past disagreements.”

In its statement Sunday, Qatar thanked Saudi Arabia for its mediation in a diplomatic crisis that had seen several Gulf states pull their ambassadors from Doha.

Meanwhile, the Gulf Cooperation Council and the Arab League on Sunday commended Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah for his successful initiative to reconcile Egypt and Qatar.

“It will open a new chapter in Egypt-Qatar relations,” said Nabil Al-Arabi, secretary-general of Arab League. He hoped that the two countries would expand cooperation in all areas.

“King Abdullah’s initiative became successful because of his position as a respectable Arab leader,” said GCC Secretary-General Abdullatif Al-Zayani.

Egyptian political parties also commended Saudi Arabia’s efforts under the leadership of King Abdullah, to strengthen Arab unity. “King Abdullah’s initiative to end the conflict between Qatar and Egypt deserves applause,” said Nagy Al-Shihabi, president of the Democratic Generation Party.

“This meeting shows King Abdullah’s continuous efforts to improve inter-Arab relations and complete the reconciliation between Egypt and Qatar,” Al-Shihabi said, adding that it would strengthen Arabs to confront challenges.

Ahmed Kamil, spokesman of Popular Current Party, also praised King Abdullah for his efforts to narrow the differences between Qatar and Egypt, adding that it would have good results.

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