British MP Galloway in Beirut

British MP George Galloway arrived in Beirut Wednesday night, however, the reasons behind his visit remain unknown. Galloway, who is a prominent pro-Palestinian activist, headed to Egypt earlier during the month to lead an aid convey of around 500 activists into the Gaza Strip through the Rafah border crossing. However, Egypt banned Galloway from entering the country after clashes erupted between the police and activists. (Now Lebanon)

Egypt bans Gaza bound convoys

Aid convoys bound for the Gaza Strip will now be banned from traveling across Egypt after activists this week clashed with police, the foreign minister said in remarks published on Saturday.
Ahmed Abul Gheit told government newspaper Al-Ahram that members of one convoy led by British MP George Galloway committed “criminal” acts on Egyptian soil on their way to the blockaded Palestinian coastal enclave.
“Egypt will no longer allow convoys, regardless of their origin or who is organizing them, from crossing its territory,” Abul Gheit said.
“Members of the (Viva Palestina) convoy committed hostile acts, even criminal ones, on Egyptian territory,” the foreign minister added without elaborating.
Egypt told Galloway he was persona non grata on Friday and banned him from entering the country

Egypt declares George Galloway as persona non grata

Egypt on Friday declared renegade British lawmaker George Galloway persona non grata, accusing him of incitement after his harsh criticism of Cairo over delays in an aid convoy’s entry into Gaza, the foreign ministry said.

“George Galloway is considered persona non grata and will not be allowed to enter into Egypt again,” a Foreign Ministry statement said. The activist left Egypt Friday morning from Cairo airport. Earlier, British press reported Galloway had been deported from Egypt. They said he was forcefully taken by police from the Rafah crossing with Gaza to Cairo airport where he was put on departing British Airways plane.AP

Aid convoy enters Gaza following border strife

Pro-Palestinian activists led by British parliamentarian George Galloway have entered the Gaza Strip with humanitarian aid, ending a long stand-off that culminated in clashes at the border, the group said Thursday.
Security was tight at Egypt’s border crossing with the Gaza Strip at the divided town of Rafah when the Viva Palestina convoy crossed the border Wednesday night, following clashes between the activists and Egyptian police the previous night that left 20 activists and 10 police injured.