Dubai Police Chief Dahi Khalfan said he received more than 1,500 death threats from supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood in response to criticism of the group on social networking site Twitter.
Khalfan, who has been vocal in his opposition to the Egyptian hardline Islamist group, had earlier Tweeted: “If they tried to shake the security of the Gulf, bloodshed will be up to their knees,” according to newspaper Al-Ahram.
Mohamed Morsi, the presidential candidate for the Brotherhood’s political wing, last week edged out rival Ahmed Shafiq in the Egyptian presidential run-off, which also prompted criticism from Khalfan.
“An unfortunate choice. The repercussions of this choice will not be light for poor ordinary people,” Khalfan Tweeted following the result.
His remarks may also erupt into a diplomatic dispute between Egypt and the UAE. On Thursday, Egypt’s Foreign Ministry summoned the ambassador of the UAE, appearing to demand an explanation of Khalfan’s comments.
Egypt’s official news agency MENA said the envoy to Cairo was summoned to request “clarification from the UAE about statements that do not go along with the nature of the special relationship between the two countries”.
It said the statements, made on Twitter, were an “attack on Egypt”, without citing the remarks that caused the offence.
Gulf monarchies such as the UAE have been wary of the rise of Islamists in Egypt and other states in the wake of the Arab Spring, which they believe may be a threat to national security.
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