Qatar Condemns Egypt's Sinai Bombing

Qatar on Saturday condemned a deadly bombing that targeted a military checkpoint in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula.



The Qatari Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the attack aimed to "harm security and stability" in Egypt.



The statement renewed Qatar's rejection of "all forms of violence", offering condolences to families of the victims.



At least 30 soldiers were killed in a deadly bombing that targeted a military checkpoint in northern Sinai Peninsula on Friday.



Following the attack, Egypt declared a three-month state of emergency in parts of North Sinai, during which a nighttime curfew will also be imposed.



Relations between Cairo and Doha have soured dramatically since July of last year, when the army ousted Mohamed Morsi – Egypt's first freely elected leader – following mass demonstrations against his presidency.



Several Egyptian Morsi supporters, including many leading members of his Muslim Brotherhood group, have since fled to Qatar amid a harsh crackdown on dissent by Egypt's army-backed authorities.



Cairo has also accused Doha – the main financier of the Al Jazeera television channel, whose Egypt coverage has been highly critical since Morsi's ouster – of interfering in its domestic affairs.



By Ahmed al-Masri



englishnews@aa.com.tr



www.aa.com.tr/en - Kahire