Qatar's UNESCO candidate was not representing Arabs -- FM

CAIRO - 16 October 2017: Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said Sunday Egypt supported the French candidate in UNESCO's final voting round as the Qatari rival was not representing the Arab Nation.

In a televised interview with ON satellite channel, the minister added that Qatar contributes to fueling conflicts in the Arab world, supports terrorist groups in the Arab world, and plays a role in the killing of innocents in Egypt, Iraq, Syria and Libya.

Qatar was seeking self-assertion and not to serve the Arab countries, Shoukry said.

Egypt is capable of being a sponsor of the common Arab interests, which made it compete on the post, he added.

The minister said that Egypt was supported by the Arab countries in UNESCO election.

He added that the country chose Moushira Khattab as she met all standards set by a committee formed to choose the Egyptian candidate.