Gulf crisis: Egypt accuses Qatar of paying ransom to ‘terrorist group’

Saudi Arabia and allies, including Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, cut diplomatic ties and transport links with Qatar on June 5, accusing Qatar of supporting extremism.

Egypt on Thursday asked the United Nations to investigate an enormous ransom that Qatar allegedly paid an IS-linked “terrorist group” in order to free members of its royal family detained in Iraq.

Passengers check-in at the Hamad International Airport in Doha on June 7, 2017. A ban on Qatari flights imposed by Saudi Arabia and its allies took effect as first efforts were made to resolve the biggest feud to hit the Arab world in years. (AFP)

Speaking during a Security Council debate on the threat of terrorism, Egypt’s deputy ambassador to the UN Ihab Moustafa accused Qatar of paying “up to $1 billion to a terrorist group active in Iraq in order to release members of its royal family kidnapped and detained in Iraq while on a hunting trip.”

“If proved correct, it is a clear support to terrorism,” he said, noting that the group was linked to the Islamic State group.

Several UN resolutions call on member countries not to pay such ransoms or make political concessions to terrorist groups, he said.

The diplomat did not provide evidence or details, but said the press had spoken of it.

“We propose that the Security Council launch a comprehensive investigation into this incident and similar incidents,” Moustafa said.