Channels

Photo: AP
Sent clear message. Suleiman
Photo: AP
Listen carefully. Mullen
Photo: AFP

Egypt: Iran tried smuggling arms to Gaza

WikiLeaks documents reveal mounting tension between two Muslim countries. 'If they interfere in Egypt, we will interfere in Iran,' warns General Intelligence Service chief

WikiLeaks reveals extent of tension between Egypt and Iran – Egyptian General Intelligence Service Chief Omar Suleiman revealed during a conversation with United States Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen that his country was recruiting agents outside its borders in order to counter the Islamic Republic.

 

According to a document published by WikiLeaks, Suleiman said during an April 30, 2009 meeting with Mullen that the Egyptian secret service was mobilizing agents in Iraq and Syria in order to counter Iran's recruitment of activists in Egypt.

 

 

Suleiman claimed that Iran was trying to recruit Bedouins to smuggle arms into the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip.

 

The intelligence chief stressed that Egypt has "started a confrontation with Hezbollah and Iran," adding that they "will not allow Iran to operate in Egypt."

 

According to Suleiman, Cairo sent a clear message to Tehran that if they interfere in Egypt, Egypt will interfere in Iran.

 

Iran must "pay the price" for its actions and not be allowed to interfere in regional affairs, he said.

 

"If you want Egypt to cooperate with you on Iran, we will," Suleiman told Mullen, "it would take a big burden off our shoulders."

 

Suleiman expressed hope that the United States will "not walk the same track as the Europeans" vis-à-vis negotiations with Iran, and warned against only focusing on

one issue at time, like Iran's nuclear weapons program.

 

In another leaked document it was reveled that Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak said his country might have to develop its own nuclear program.

 

In a conversation held during the May 2008 World Economic Forum in Sharm el-Sheikh, Mubarak was asked for Egypt's response in case Iran develops nuclear weapons, to which he replied, "No one will accept a nuclear Iran."

 

 


פרסום ראשון: 11.30.10, 23:13
 new comment
Warning:
This will delete your current comment