In a statement to Qatar's news agency (QNA), Assistant Foreign
Minister for Foreign Affairs Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Rumaihi
described the allegation as misleading and unfounded.
"The policy of the State of Qatar is based on clear and consistent
foundations: mutual respect and non-interference in the internal
affairs of other countries," said the statement on Monday evening.
Analysts say Libya is turning into a conflict zone for competing
regional powers as the country faces the prospect of becoming a
failed state or even civil war three years after the ousting of
Muammar Gaddafi.
Qatar helped bankroll rebels who ousted Gaddafi, and it continues to
be an ally of Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood, an Islamist movement with
a following in many Muslim countries including ties to the
opposition group now controlling Tripoli.
Rumaihi said Thinni should check the accuracy of his information
before releasing public statements, something that was particularly
important since Thinni had not said anything about "the bombing of
his country and its citizens recently".
This is a reference to an assertion by the United States that the
United Arab Emirates (UAE), an anti-Islamist Gulf Arab state, bombed
positions held by opposition fighters in Libya days before those
forces seized the capital last month.
Thinni has denied this allegation, but has said without elaborating
that the UAE is supporting Libya. The UAE has not directly addressed
the allegation.
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Qatar and the UAE are on opposite sides of a rift among Gulf Arabs
over the role of Islamists in Arab politics.
Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain are angry over Qatar's support for
the Brotherhood, whose ideology challenges the principle of
conservative dynastic rule that dominates the Gulf.
The three states recalled their ambassadors from Qatar in March,
accusing Doha of failing to abide by an accord not to interfere in
each others' affairs. Qatar denies the charge.
In a sign that pressure may be having some effect, the Brotherhood
said on Saturday that Qatar had asked seven senior Brotherhood
figures to leave the country.
(Reporting by Amena Bakr, Editing by William Maclean and Andrew
Heavens)
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