Middle-east Arab News Opinion | Asharq Al-awsat

Senior Muslim Brotherhood Leader says Hezbollah Wronged Egypt Twice | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
Select Page

Cairo, Asharq Al-Awsat- Against the backdrop of the Hezbollah cell uncovered operating on Egyptian soil last month, Essam al-Erian, a senior leader in the Muslim Brotherhood [MB] yesterday informed Asharq Al-Awsat that Hezbollah had wronged Egypt twice. However Mahdi Akef, the MB’s General Guide, commenting upon Al-Erian’s statement told Asharq Al-Awsat that “Everybody is responsible for their own [personal] opinion, but the [MB’s] official position is my own.”

Al-Erian informed Asharq Al-Awsat that his opinion on Hezbollah was not contradictory to the Muslim Brotherhood’s [official] position. He said “the position of the organization is firm, namely the importance of supporting the Palestinian resistance along with safeguarding national security and Egyptian sovereignty.” Al-Erian denied the existence of any differences within the organization on this topic.

Al-Erian added “Hezbollah has essential causes that must be addressed” and that Hezbollah’s problem is that the group “is founded upon specific [religious] doctrine.” He added “this is the same problem experienced by Iran, which is a country that is founded upon a specific [religious] doctrine, this is included in its constitution, and it operates by this.”

Dr. Diaa Rashwan, an expert on Islamist organizations informed Asharq Al-Awsat that “the contradiction between Al-Erian’s comments and the Muslim Brotherhood’s position may be a positive sign.”