Congress still discussing adding MB to terrorist list: Congressman

CAIRO – 17 December 2017: There are 64 congressmen supporting the draft law H.R.377 to add the Muslim Brotherhood Organization (MB) to the list of terrorists but “such a decision takes time and needs political harmonization,” Democratic Member of the U.S. House of Representatives and Chairman Emeritus on the Subcommittee on Terrorism Brad Sherman Sherman stated.

The statement came during an interview with Egypt Today on Friday.


Member of U.S. House of Representatives Brad Sherman - Courtesy of House of Democrats' official website

Sherman added that the Trump Administration faces several interior challenges and does not want to open other fronts right now.

Sherman said in an interview to Egypt Today that President Sisi and the Egyptian Army are firmly facing evil forces.

“No one can deny that Egypt is facing a fierce war and thus the U.S is trying to support Egypt,” Sherman added, pointing out that “Egypt is a core country in the Middle East and what is happening in Egypt affects the U.S.”


The congressman revealed that there is strong evidence that indicates that the Muslim Brotherhood has committed terroristic actions, in addition to other organization that are acting in the spirit of the MB such as Erdogan’s political party; “however, we cannot recognize them all as terrorist groups so the congress still discussing that matter.”

“The former U.S. administration thought that there were violations of democracy after ousting MB rule but now a lot of changes have taken place and Sisi’s administration is appreciated,” stated Sherman.

On the matter of Qatar, Sherman commented that it is clear that the Qatari regime funded and supported groups with money and weapons to perform terrorist attacks which are against humanity and international laws.

“There is disagreement between Qatar and Arab states, and the U.S. seeks to settle this issue. We want Qatar to change its policy in order to have it return as a part of Arab states. Eighty percent of Congress supports the Gulf Cooperation Council while only 20 percent supports Qatar,” Sherman added to Egypt Today.


U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence meet with House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer in the Oval Office of the White Ho.JPG

“Qatar is now in trouble. I do not think that mutual visits with the U.S. are the solution and Qatar has to respond to the demands of the Arab quartet; mainly it has to stop funding and supporting terrorist groups,” revealed Sherman.

All parties must ensure that the U.S. will not condone the Qatari role in funding terrorism, added Sherman, indicating that funding terrorism became a threat to the whole world not just the Middle East.

“There is no doubt that there is a war of trilateral parties between the Sunnis, moderates and extremists who are the Islamic State, Hamas, and the Shiite alliance by Iran; yet what Qatar is aiming for within the three camps is most unreasonable,” Sherman stated. He added that “Iran is one of the states that funds terrorism and I submitted more than 20 law drafts to impose economical and diplomatic sanction on Iran.”

U.S. tends to reduce military aids to all foreign states as well as the budget of external operations due to economic crises, although they are keen on maintaining military aid to Egypt, Sherman mentioned. “However, increasing it is not to be expected,” the congressman pointed out.

“There is obvious development in the bilateral relation between Egypt and the U.S. since Trump took over and rapprochement between the two presidents as well as institutions. Dialogue between the Egyptian parliament and U.S. congress has taken place for the first time and I think this is useful for the two countries,” Sherman maintained.

Sherman confirmed that Egypt is an important state which deserves respect and appreciation, indicating that the bilateral relations develop governed by common interests and that the U.S. appreciates Sisi’s role in establishing stability in Egypt.

“I met President Sisi seven months ago, and we discussed several files, the most significant was the file of combating terrorism and the MB’s position,” Sherman confirmed.

Egypt now has a more effective role externally, especially the parliament and its good relations with the European parliament and the U.S. Congress.