Islamist dissidents are plotting to overthrow the governments of Arabian Gulf countries and steal their fortunes, says the chief of Dubai Police.
“There’s an international plot against Gulf states in particular and Arab countries in general,” warned Lt Gen Dahi Khalfan Tamim on Wednesday, according to Reuters.
Gen Tamim’s comments come after least 20 suspected Islamist dissidents were detained in the UAE in April, amid fears they may be emboldened by the rise of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt.
“The bigger our sovereign wealth funds and the more money we put in the banks of western countries, the bigger the plot to take over our countries,” he said.
“The Brothers and their governments in Damascus and North Africa have to know that the Gulf is a red line, not only for Iran but also for the Brothers as well.”
UAE officials last week announced that authorities were investigating a foreign-linked group planning “crimes against the security of the state”.
“I had no idea there was this large a number of Muslim Brotherhood in the Gulf states,” said Gen Tamim.
“We have to be alert and on guard because the larger these groups become, the higher probability there is for trouble.”
* With Reuters
