UAE summons Qatar envoy to protest Islamist cleric

The United Arab Emirates has summoned Qatar's ambassador to formally protest the comments of an outspoken pro-Muslim Brotherhood cleric.
     
The official WAM news agency reported Sunday that UAE Foreign Minister Anwar Gargash told Qatar's ambassador that Egyptian-born Youssef el-Qaradawi should be stopped and condemned by Doha's leadership for expressing comments critical of the UAE.
     
The Qatar-based el-Qaradawi often uses his Friday sermons, which are broadcast on television, to criticize Egypt and the UAE's clampdown on the Brotherhood.
     
He recently accused the UAE of being opposed to Islamic rule. Gargash said it was "shameful" that the cleric is allowed to continue to insult the UAE.
     
The UAE has been one of the staunchest supporters of Egypt's new military-backed leadership and taken action against the Brotherhood's branch in the UAE.
 
         
AP