The newspaper said in a report published Saturday that it obtained audio recordings in which an Egyptian intelligence officer, speaking with influential talk show hosts, asked them to downplay the significance of US President Donald Trump’s decision.
“The Times’ report contains allegations regarding Egypt’s position on the Jerusalem issue mentioned in the so-called ‘audio recordings.’ It is inappropriate for The New York Times, a reputable newspaper, to publish such allegations,” the Egyptian government said in a statement.
“Egypt’s positions on international issues are not derived from alleged leaks from an anonymous source. Rather, Egypt’s positions are conveyed by the President, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and in official statements as well,” the statement added.
The statement pointed out that Egypt sponsored a UN resolution opposing the US recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, despite threats by Washington to reduce aid.
In the report, an officer identified as Cpt. Ashraf al-Kholi, is reported to have briefed TV hosts, saying that widespread unrest over Washington’s move would “not serve Egypt’s national security interests,” as it would “revive the Islamists and Hamas. Hamas would be reborn once more.”
The statement noted that two of the talk show hosts mentioned in the report no longer have shows and never presented any news regarding the Jerusalem decision. The statement also said that news presenter Azmi Megahed, the key on-the-record interview for the Times report, denied remarks attributed to him by the American paper. (Read More)
