The Deputy Supreme Guide of the Muslim Brotherhood, Khairat al-Shater, met with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa al-Thani, and his Prime Minister, Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber al-Thani, during a visit to Doha, sources from the Brotherhood told Al-Masry Al-Youm Wednesday.
The sources added that the three discussed ways to accelerate Qatari aid to Egypt.
The sources also said that Shater informed official sources in Egypt about his visit, which came as an invitation from the Qataris.
Shater arrived in Doha on Monday for talks about coordination between Qatar and the Muslim Brotherhood’s Freedom and Justice Party regarding developments in Egypt and the Arab world, DPA quoted sources as saying on Monday.
Qatar promised Egypt investments of US$10 billion in the weeks following Mubarak’s handover of power, but has failed to deliver, citing instability.
The sources told Al-Masry Al-Youm on Wednesday that Shater was discussing with the Qatari leaders ways to convince companies in Qatar to continue investing in Egypt following the announcement by some Qatari companies that they are thinking about stopping investment in Egypt.
The sources also said that Qatari officials expressed their desire to invest between US$20-30 billion dollars in Egypt, especially in the area surrounding the Suez Canal.
The formerly outlawed Muslim Brotherhood is attempting to normalize diplomatic relations with its neighbors, in part to solicit funds Gulf countries promised following the uprising that deposed former President Hosni Mubarak.
Some Gulf leaders remain wary of forming close ties with the Brotherhood, fearing its branches in their own countries could breed unrest.
Gulf officials have said they require clear assurances from the Brotherhood that it would not seek to “export the revolution” to the Gulf and that any Muslim Brotherhood-backed government in Egypt would not compromise Gulf security.
Brotherhood officials have said they have no designs to spread revolt and that Gulf instability would not be in their interest.
