Doha lifts embargo on recruiting Egyptians

The Egyptian ambassador in Qatar, Ahmad Munisi, said that Qatar has lifted its embargo on employing Egyptians which had been in effect for months due to tense relations between Doha and Cairo.

The Egyptian ambassador added, "The Qatari authorities issued work visas to Egyptians. Ordinary measures have been applied on members of the Egyptian community and entry visa are granted to businessmen."

The Ambassador said he expected relations between the two countries to witness more detente, especially though exchanged visits between the two states' officials on all levels." He added that good relations between the two countries will be put into actual realization in all domains.

Relations between Egypt and Qatar worsened last year because of Egypt's boycott of the economic cooperation and development conference for the Middle East and North Africa which was organized in November 1997 in Doha. Egypt and other Arab countries boycotted the conference in objection to Israeli participation.

During May, President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt received a message from the ruler of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad Bin Khaleifa al-Thani, who visited Cairo during March.