United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ambassador to Egypt, Mohammed Bin Nakheera al-Dhaheri, on Monday denied the existence of tension between the UAE and Egypt as a result of the recent rapprochement between Cairo and Tehran. In a statement to reporters, al-Dhaheri said that relations between the UAE and Egypt were excellent at all levels and in all areas. He went on to say that the decision to postpone Egyptian Prime Minister Essam Sharaf's visit to the UAE was due to conflicting schedules. According to al-Dhaheri, the two sides agreed to postpone the visit to a later date. He also denied rumors that the UAE will refuse to hire Egyptian workers or restrict their numbers. On Sunday, official Emirati sources told Al-Masry Al-Youm that Emirati authorities had halted issuing work visas and residency permits to Egyptian residents in the country. The decision was prompted by the change in Egyptian foreign policy and Egypt's recent rapprochement with Iran, the sources added. The Emirati Directorate of Residence and Foreigners' Affairs, meanwhile, attributed the decision to "the lack of stable security authorities in Egypt, which could be referred to for inquiries about people wishing to work in the UAE." Meanwhile, an informed Emirati source who spoke on the condition of anonymity said the decision resulted from the lack of a clear Egyptian foreign policy since the 25 January revolution. The source also said that Gulf countries are concerned about Egypt's insistence on bringing former President Hosni Mubarak to trial. The undeclared decision has forced several Egyptians residing in the UAE to return to Egypt. Translated from the Arabic Edition
