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Egypt, Algeria Seek to Boost Political, Economic Cooperation

Egyptian Minister of International Cooperation Rania al-Mashat holding talks with Algerian ambassador in Cairo Hameed Shbeira (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Egyptian Minister of International Cooperation Rania al-Mashat holding talks with Algerian ambassador in Cairo Hameed Shbeira (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Egypt, Algeria Seek to Boost Political, Economic Cooperation

Egyptian Minister of International Cooperation Rania al-Mashat holding talks with Algerian ambassador in Cairo Hameed Shbeira (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Egyptian Minister of International Cooperation Rania al-Mashat holding talks with Algerian ambassador in Cairo Hameed Shbeira (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Egypt's Minister of International Cooperation Rania al-Mashat met with the Algerian ambassador in Cairo, Hameed Shbeira, ahead of the Joint Higher Committee meeting between the two countries.

The talks addressed the developments of cooperation in various fields, preparations for the Joint Higher Committee, and the results of previous sessions at the level of joint committees.

Mashat expressed Egypt's aspiration to advance bilateral relations in various fields taking advantage of the great economic potentials of both countries.

She stressed the keenness of both political leaderships to overcome any obstacle that might prevent economic integration.

Mashat asserted the importance of reactivating the role of the Joint Higher Committee, as its last session was held in 2014.

The statement reported that the Algerian ambassador reflected his country's desire to advance relations with Egypt in various areas.

Shbeira stressed that both leaders aim to push the relations forward, which will be reflected in the development efforts, indicating that Algeria also wants to resume the meetings of the Joint Higher Committee.

Earlier this week, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi received a written letter from his Algerian counterpart Abdelmadjid Tebboune, delivered by the Algerian Foreign Minister Ramtane Lamamra.

Tebboune underlined Algeria's pride in its close and distinguished relations with Egypt at the official and popular levels.

In his letter, the President also stressed his county's interest in strengthening bilateral cooperation with Egypt in various fields.

Tebboune said he looks forward to further enhancing coordination and consultation with Sisi during the coming period to counter the various challenges facing the region and the Arab nation and reinforce joint Arab action.

The meeting tackled ways to foster closer bilateral relations, emphasizing the importance of holding the next session of the Joint Higher Committee at the level of the two countries prime ministers during the current year.

It also highlighted the importance of holding the next session of the political consultation mechanism at the level of the two foreign ministers.

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Cairo May Request Extradition of Qaradawi’s Son from Abu Dhabi

Umayyad Square in Damascus (Reuters)
Umayyad Square in Damascus (Reuters)
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Cairo May Request Extradition of Qaradawi’s Son from Abu Dhabi

Umayyad Square in Damascus (Reuters)
Umayyad Square in Damascus (Reuters)

As Lebanese authorities proceed with the deportation of Egyptian activist Abdel Rahman al-Qaradawi, the son of the late cleric Yusuf al-Qaradawi, to the United Arab Emirates, an Egyptian source involved in the case told Asharq Al-Awsat that Cairo plans to formally request his extradition from Abu Dhabi once he arrives there.

Controversy has surrounded the case since Lebanon announced that the government had approved the deportation of Qaradawi to the UAE instead of Egypt, where he holds citizenship.

Former Lebanese Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour explained to Asharq Al-Awsat that citizenship is not an obstacle in extradition cases between countries, saying that a state may decide to extradite a person to another country even if they hold the nationality of a third state, as in the case of Qaradawi’s son.

According to Lebanese sources, the decision to extradite Qaradawi to the UAE is based on a warrant issued by the Council of Arab Interior Ministers. As a member of the council, Lebanon is obligated to comply with the UAE’s request, despite the absence of a direct bilateral extradition agreement between the two countries.

Additionally, the extradition decision was influenced by the fact that the charges against Qaradawi are criminal, not political, as political charges would prevent extradition and instead warrant protection under international conventions.

An Egyptian judicial source told Asharq Al-Awsat that the International Cooperation Office of Egypt’s Public Prosecutor had prepared a comprehensive file containing all rulings issued against Qaradawi to ensure that the extradition request met all legal requirements. This file was sent to Lebanese judicial authorities through official channels. However, Egypt has yet to receive a response from Lebanon, though one is expected in the coming days.

Dr. Mohammed Mahmoud Mehran, a member of the American and European societies for international law, told Asharq Al-Awsat that international law generally allows extradition when the individual is either a citizen of the requesting state, has committed a crime on its territory, or when the requesting state has a direct legal interest in the case.

As Qaradawi is an Egyptian citizen, Egypt “has the legal right to request his extradition under international law and bilateral agreements, provided all legal conditions are met,” Mehran said.

Meanwhile, Qaradawi’s lawyer, Mohammed Sablouh, confirmed plans to file an urgent appeal in Lebanese courts to prevent his client’s extradition, according to Reuters. Mehran explained that extradition laws grant the individual the right to appeal in court, while the requesting states also have the right to challenge decisions.

Mehran suggested that if Qaradawi is ultimately handed over to the UAE, it is highly likely he will later be extradited to Egypt after procedural requirements in the Emirates are fulfilled. This is due to the strong bilateral relations and close security coordination between Egypt and the UAE.

Abdel Rahman al-Qaradawi, who holds dual Egyptian and Turkish citizenship, was arrested in Lebanon on December 28 after returning from Syria. His arrest followed an Interpol red notice issued based on an in absentia ruling by an Egyptian court sentencing him to five years in prison for spreading false news, inciting violence, and terrorism. Before his arrest, Qaradawi appeared in a video filmed at the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, where he made remarks considered offensive to both Egypt and the UAE.