Syrian ambassador to Egypt leaves Cairo

The Syrian ambassador to Egypt has left Cairo in what some observers note is an indication of tension in Syrian-Egyptian relations.

Ambassador Yousuf Ahmad left for Damascus on Wednesday with his wife and five large suitcases, according to a UPI report.

The ambassador is ostensibly taking time off for the upcoming Id al-Adha Muslim festival, but rumors suggest Syria is in fact recalling its ambassador from Cairo over tension between the two countries.

Syria has expressed displeasure with Egypt over Cairo's handling of the internal Palestinian conflict, alleging that Egypt, which has been mediating between Fatah and Hamas, has not taken a balanced approach in the dispute.

Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem recently said that any party mediating between the various Palestinian sides should be impartial. He was implying that Egypt was siding with Fatah and conspiring against Hamas.

During a conference of Arab foreign ministers last month, Muallem reportedly enraged the Palestinian delegation when he called for the participation of Hamas representatives in future Arab League meetings. More