Egypt Restricts Entry to Iraq Sympathizers

CAIRO — Egypt, intensifying its campaign against Iraq, said Saturday that it has restricted the entry of Iraqis and citizens of countries that support Baghdad and prohibited politicians and journalists from attending a pro-Iraq conference.

A senior security officer said the curbs apply to Jordanians, Yemenis, Palestinians and Kuwaitis.

Previously, citizens of those countries could get six-month visas automatically on arrival in Egypt, like nationals of other Arab countries.

Egypt has strongly opposed Saddam Hussein’s Aug. 2 invasion of Kuwait. The Palestine Liberation Organization has backed the Iraqi leader, while Jordan and Yemen have been generally sympathetic to him.

The security officer, who spoke on condition he not be identified, said the aim of the controls regarding Kuwaitis is to prevent Iraq from sending agents into Egypt with Kuwaiti passports.