The New York Times quoted US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel as saying that the new Egyptian government is not close enough to meeting the commitments toward democratization, however has managed to do enough to keep US aid.
The newspaper also said that during his visit to Saudi Arabia this week, Hagel urged the Arab Gulf countries to unite against security threats of pro-democracy protests in Egypt, the uprising in Syria and Iran's nuclear program, all within the efforts of the United States to consolidate its influence in the region.
The newspaper added that Hagel told the officials he met with that “cooperation between friends is vital to their survival,” a citation he probably took from the fables of Panchatantra.
“We must show our unity in critical times and send a strong message to our opponents,” the paper also quoted Hagel as saying.
It said Hagel highlighted the quarrel that took place between the Gulf states in the past few months when Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain withdrew their ambassadors from Doha in protest against Qatar supporting Islamist groups to expand its influence in the region.
Although Qatar was present at the meeting of GCC ministers with Hagel, the paper said, it is not yet clear whether the Gulf states are willing to pardon Doha, as Arab officials said off the record that political differences still exist, including differences about the Obama administration and its Arab allies allegedly working on certain counter-plans.
The newspaper quoted an Arab official, speaking on condition of anonymity, as saying that Arab governments are still upset with Obama's handling of the crisis in Egypt since he withdrew support for former President Hosni Mubarak in the wake of the first revolution in Tahrir Square three years ago.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
