The Arab media outlet Asharq Al-Awsat widely repoted on the draft bill presented by several US Republican Senators to designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization sparked controversy, as many officials warn of its repercussions on Washington's relations with several friendly and allied countries.

US Senators Ted Cruz, Jim Inhofe, and Ron Johnson led a move that reintroduced the Muslim Brotherhood Terrorist Designation Act.

The bill urges the Department of State to use its statutory authority to designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO).

Cruz said that it's time that "we join our allies in the Arab world in formally recognizing the Muslim Brotherhood for what they truly are—a terrorist organization."

"I'm proud to reintroduce this bill to urge the Biden administration to designate them as such and advance our nation's fight against terrorism."

The Senator stressed that "we have a duty to hold the Muslim Brotherhood accountable for their role in financing and promoting terrorism across the Middle East."

Earlier, Cruz criticized the Biden administration and Democratic senators from the House Committee on Appropriations for withholding $130 million worth of military aid to Egypt until Cairo released some Muslim Brotherhood political prisoners.

He also "blasted" President Biden's nominee for Assistant Secretary of State for Near East Affairs, Barbara Leaf, slamming the Senate Democrats for trying to release "Muslim Brotherhood propagandist" who is "anti-semite and hate preacher."

US and Egypt will launch the strategic dialogue on Monday with the two delegations led by Foreign Ministers Anthony Blinken and Sameh Shoukry in Washington.

Image: Reuters