Egypt Begins Repatriating 3,000 Citizens Stranded in Qatar

Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly during a visit to a factory in Cairo on Saturday, June 13, 2020. (Egyptian government)
Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly during a visit to a factory in Cairo on Saturday, June 13, 2020. (Egyptian government)
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Egypt Begins Repatriating 3,000 Citizens Stranded in Qatar

Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly during a visit to a factory in Cairo on Saturday, June 13, 2020. (Egyptian government)
Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly during a visit to a factory in Cairo on Saturday, June 13, 2020. (Egyptian government)

The Egyptian Ministry of Civil Aviation has started operating 18 special flights via the Omani capital, Muscat, to bring back around 3,000 Egyptian citizens stranded in Qatar.

Egyptians stuck in Qatar would be repatriated via a company from Doha to Muscat, from where they would be flown to Cairo International Airport, the ministry said in a statement.

Despite suspending flights mid-March, the government has recently repatriated tens of thousands of stranded citizens from various world countries.

It has pledged to repatriate all its citizens who want to return to Cairo.

Meanwhile, Minister of Health Hala Zayed dismissed director of El Mataria Teaching Hospital in Cairo from his post over his dereliction of duty.

The director was also referred to an investigative panel after the death of a Sudanese patient at the hospital.

Zayed took her decision after a video went viral on social media, documenting the death of the Sudanese patient.

Each patient has the right to access health services, the minister said, adding that no leniency will be shown in this regard.

A committee uncovered some technical and administrative violations by the hospital, and it will continue its work to identify the shortcomings and refer the negligent officials to the judiciary.

A woman published a video on social media showing a patient who had died inside the hospital and who was still in his bed alongside other patients who are still receiving treatment.

“Directly after the incident, Zayed directed opening an urgent and immediate probe,” the statement read, adding that the results will be presented to the Minister of Health and Population to be referred later to competent authorities.

Separately, in line with the government’s efforts to resume various activities, Egyptian Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouly visited Saturday a number of factories in the 6th of October City.

He was accompanied by Minister of Trade and Industry Nevine Gamea and Executive Director of the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones Mohamed Abd El Wahab.



Iran's Foreign Ministry: Evacuation of Advisors from Syria Was a Responsible Decision

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei (Archive photo – MEHR)
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei (Archive photo – MEHR)
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Iran's Foreign Ministry: Evacuation of Advisors from Syria Was a Responsible Decision

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei (Archive photo – MEHR)
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei (Archive photo – MEHR)

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei stated that Iranian advisors were initially deployed to Syria to support the Syrian army in its fight against terrorism and to prevent insecurity from spreading to neighboring countries and the wider region.

He emphasized that the decision to withdraw these advisors was a responsible measure, reflecting the current security, military, and political conditions in Syria and the region.

Baghaei made these remarks in an interview with IRNA, following statements by the Russian president during his annual Direct Line press conference, where he addressed domestic and international issues, including the situations in Ukraine, Syria, and strained relations with the West.

The Russian president had stated: “When armed opposition groups entered Aleppo, there were 30,000 fighters. Previously, our Iranian friends sought our help in Syria. Now, they are seeking help to leave Syria.”

In response, Baghaei emphasized the history of collaboration between Iran and Russia in combating terrorism in Syria. He noted: “It is not unusual for stakeholders in Syria’s developments to present differing narratives about the causes of events and the roles of various actors. However, some recent claims regarding Iran’s advisory role in Syria before the fall of the Damascus regime are not based on accurate information.”

The spokesperson clarified that Iran’s involvement in Syria was based on an official invitation from the country’s legitimate government. Over the years, Iran and Syria worked together effectively to combat terrorism, successfully preventing ISIS from taking root in Syria and Iraq and curbing the spread of terrorism across the region, he remarked.

Baghaei explained that after ISIS was defeated, Iran’s military presence in Syria shifted to an advisory role, aimed at preventing the group’s resurgence, combating terrorism, and strengthening Syria’s military capabilities against Israeli aggression. “This approach has proven successful, as seen in the immediate aftermath of Iranian advisors’ withdrawal, when Israel occupied strategic areas and destroyed critical infrastructure in Syria,” he added.

When asked about the number of Iranians evacuated from Syria, Baghaei clarified that the evacuees included the families of Iranian diplomats, Iranian and non-Iranian pilgrims, and individuals who had traveled to assist Lebanese refugees in Syria. He stressed that all these individuals were flown back to Iran on Iranian planes via Hmeimim Airport, which was used in coordination with Russia as a secondary airport alongside Damascus Airport.

The spokesperson concluded by underlining the strategic significance of Iran-Russia relations across various sectors. He noted that dialogue between the two countries is ongoing at all levels. “We prefer to exchange views and expertise through official channels,” he stated.