Roed-Larsen Criticizes Hizbullah for Violating Egypt”s Sovereignty
U.N. special envoy Terje Roed-Larsen criticized Hizbullah, describing the phenomenon of purported Hizbullah agents operating in Sinai as a serious violation of Egypt”s sovereignty.
"Hizbullah”s cell in Egypt is a violation of Egyptian territories," Roed-Larsen said in Cairo following talks with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on Sunday.
Egypt”s public prosecutor is interrogating 49 people it claims plotted to carry out "hostile operations" on orders from Hizbullah. The suspects, who face charges of espionage and planning to overthrow the regime, are led by Hizbullah operative Sami Shehab.
Analysts say Egypt”s arrest of the alleged Hizbullah cell marks a dangerous escalation of tension between Iran and the Arab world.
Roed-Larsen said U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon dispatched him to Cairo to follow-up on Hizbullah”s alleged plot.
Ban had expressed concern over Hizbullah operations outside Lebanese territories, saying "interference in another country”s internal affairs constitutes a violation of sovereignty."
"The U.N. Secretary-General has clearly denounced this unjustified violation of Egypt”s sovereignty and its internal affairs," said Roed-Larsen, Ban”s special envoy for the implementation of resolution 1559.
"He (Ban) is following closely all circumstances related to the issue," Roed-Larsen added.