Mubarak Concerned over 'New Dangers' in the Gulf
06/09/2010
www.asharq-e.com/news.asp?section=1&id=22214

CAIRO (AFP) - Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak said Sunday he was concerned
about "new dangers" in the Gulf, in an apparent allusion to Iran, whose
nuclear ambitions concern numerous Arab countries.

In a speech to mark the Night of Destiny during the holy month of Ramadan,
Mubarak said "our celebration comes as our Arab and Muslim world faces
difficult times."

In addition to the problems in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, Lebanon, Sudan
and Somalia, Mubarak warned of "new dangers that are emerging in the Gulf
region and threaten its stability."

Western countries and Israel suspect Iran is using its civilian nuclear
programme to hide efforts to develop a nuclear bomb, a prospect that also
worries Arab nations.

Arab nations, such as Saudi Arabia, are also concerned about Shiite Iran's
support for Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Palestinian Islamist movement
Hamas.

Egypt, which has been deeply involved in the Israeli-Palestinian peace
talks, postponed last week a visit to Cairo by Iranian Foreign Minister
Manouchehr Mottaki over comments criticising the role of some Arab leaders
in facilitating the talks.

Ties between Tehran and Cairo have been severed since 1980 in the wake of
the Islamic revolution in Iran and Egypt's recognition of Israel.

Since then the two countries have only maintained interest sections in each
other's capitals.