Qatari PM: Qatar Extends to Egypt $1bn Grants Plus $4bn Deposits

Cairo, January 08 (QNA) -Qatar has granted Egypt $1bn and deposited some $4bn at the Egyptian Central Bank. At a joint news conference in Cairo with the Egyptian Prime Minister Hisham Qandil, HE the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jabor Al Thani said his talks with Qandil focused on economic and political issues. Detailing assistance to Egypt, he said that Qatar had provided an aid package of $2.5 bn , including half a billion grants and $2 bn in deposits. One of the deposits has later been transferred into a grant to increase total grants to $1 bn , whereas deposits totaled about $4 bn. "We increased the deposits by $2.5 bn upon the directives of HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani to help our brethren in Egypt, HE Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim said. He said he believed that a strong Egypt is in the interest of All Arab countries, including Qatar, and he was certain that the country will be able to overcome the current difficult economic situation, citing its human and other wealth resources. Bilateral cooperation will witness a rise in the economic and investment sectors, he said, citing both leaderships desire to build on relevant previous discussions. On the political track, he said he would thank Egypt for its position in the latest Israeli war on the Gaza Strip, whether as regards helping clinch a ceasefire or realizing Palestinian conciliation. HE Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim said Egypt was carrying out its natural role in dealing with major Arab issues. He also expressed his appreciation for the Egyptian government s help in getting Qatar s construction materials pass through crossing points into the Gaza Strip for rebuilding of damaged homes and for establishing hospitals and schools as agreed during a recent visit to the strip by HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani. HE Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim said that efforts continued to step up cooperation between Qatar and Egypt. HE the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor Al Thani dismissed as a "silly joke" claims that Qatar is attempting to assume control over Egypt and the Suez Canal, stressing that a country with the human and economic resources of Egypt can not be dominated by any other country. "HH the Emir publicly recognizes the leading role of Egypt and that Egypt is the biggest Arab country. We always rely on Egypt and, today, we said we appreciate all the roles of Egypt and support its roles," HE the Premier said. HE Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim said the issue of Qatari dominance over Egypt was invented by some people to serve political domestic purposes in Egypt, stressing that Qatar neither meddles into the affairs of small nor large countries. "As much as we want to see Egypt a politically and economically strong and stable state, it is the Egyptian people who chooses Egyptian leadership, and the Egyptian government decides the path of the country. There is an elected president and a government and we deal officially with the institution elected by the Egyptian people." As for the Suez Canal, HE Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim said HH the Heir Apparent explained the issue a few days ago, noting that these claims are totally untrue and were fabricated by Egyptian media for domestic political benefits. "We did not even talk about the Suez Canal, not for development, purchasing, or selling, and the Egyptian government did not broach the issue." He noted that Qatar only wants to cooperate with Egypt as brothers of such a big country, especially after the recent Egyptian stances in support of Palestinians and Arab issues. "If there has been a controversy in the past, it was on that matter." HE Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim expressed shock at Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's most recent speech in which he blamed the violence on rebels. President Bashar's speech was a mere repetition, he said, He stressed that Syrian bloodshed will not go down the drain, noting that Assad, as a president of Syria, is responsible for the damage and the killings. He urged Assad to respect the Syrian people's choices. Referring to Qatar s role in bringing closer the view of Egypt and the UAE, HE Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim said Qatar would do its best to iron out inter-Arab differences and close ranks. The policy of Qatar and HH the Emir goes in that direction, he said, expressing the hope that both countries will be able to overcome the current transient differences. He noted that he met yesterday Lakhdar Ibrahimi, the UN and Arab League envoy to Syria . "I explained my views as being the chairman of the Arab Commission on Syria, he added. Touching on the situation in Iraq, HE Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim said he would refrain from giving a descriptive account of what is happening there. However, he said he would appeal to the Iraqis to agree to close ranks. He recalled that the wisdom behind the toppling of the previous Iraqi regime (of Saddam) was to help Iraq become a country for all Iraqis, for both the oppressed and the non-oppressed. Iraqis need now to take a decision to solve pending issues in a way acceptable to all parties and factions, HE Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim added. "We are not interfering in Iraq s affairs, as rumored, he emphasized, adding " We have a free view, similar to that of any other countries or individuals... and hope that they will tackle the issue on an equitable basis for all parties within an Iraqi framework." Asked about the postponement of HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani's visit to Ramallah which some read it as a preference for Hamas movement over Mahmoud Abbas, HE the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor Al Thani said "HH the Emir is pleased to visit any Arab party or any country. We don't favor any party over another but we are in favor of Arab rights. Hamas has been besieged for years and Arabs were killed in Gaza. That is why we supported Gaza and it is a support for all Palestinians... And this is HH the Emir's view." "What harm is there in the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip which its buildings were demolished," His Excellency said, adding "those in Ramallah did not face destruction of their houses. We have respect to them and we know they are besieged and under occupation as well." He reiterated that His Highness is pleased to visit any party, but specifying that there was no final decision on the visit. It is mere talk. Journalists were the one who fixed its time and its postponement; without anything announced from our side." He lauded the role of Egypt in alleviating the suffering of their brothers in Gaza. Asked about Qatar-Egypt relations especially after 25 January Revolution in Egypt, His Excellency noted that some achievements were completed already, pointing out that there to four projects belonging to Diar and Barwa were accomplished, and he revealed that more projects are in the pipeline. For his part, Egyptian Prime Minister Hisham Qandil said there is a joint political will between Egypt and Qatar to push bilateral relations ahead. "There is a scheduled visit of technicians from Qatar next week to discuss ways of boosting economic relations," Qandil said, adding that talks between President Mohamed Morsy and HE Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim touched on bilateral relations and other issues, notably the situation in Palestine and Syria. When asked about Suez Canal, Qandil said investments in Egypt are open for all Arab and foreign countries in line with Egyptian law. He expressed gratitude and recognition for the support of Qatari people, noting that it is unacceptable to blame Arab or foreign investors and charge them of trying to assume control over Egypt when they "decide to contribute to the renaissance of Egypt." Qandil said that $400-million worth of Qatari aids in the form of construction materials were bought from the Egyptian market and have been transferred to the Gaza Strip to help in reconstruction efforts. (QNA)