The new axis of evil...

They tried to overthrow the Mubarak government in Egypt....

An axis of evil which includes Iran, Syria, Qatar and Hamas has attempted to destabilize Egypt and ultimately engineer a coup against the government, state paper Al-Ahram alleged on Saturday.

In an exceptionally strong-worded article, the paper stated that the Hizbullah cell recently arrested by Egyptian authorities was not only planning to carry out terror attacks in the country, but was also set up as a basis for a larger conspiracy, one that sought to overthrow and replace the Egyptian regime.

The paper pointed fingers at various Arab states and bodies which it claimed were partners to the plot, including Iran, Syria, Qatar, Al-Jazeera TV, Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood.

Based on all the evidence collected by Egyptian security forces following the cell's apprehension, Al-Ahram stated, it was becoming clear that these organizations and nations had conspired against Egypt, using various means to undermine Egyptian rule and create chaos in the country.

The plan, alleged the paper, began with Hamas's violation of the cease-fire with Israel in December - a decision, it said, that was dictated by Iran and its allies.

"In the period leading up to the Israeli invasion of Gaza, it was decided that Hamas would surprisingly announce it was no longer obligated to the cease-fire, and indeed, [the organization] began firing rockets in a manner no one understood," the article claimed.

Then, when Israel retaliated, members of the 'axis' accused Egypt of having conspired with the US and Israel against Hamas, using Qatar's Al-Jazeera television network to further delegitimize Cairo in the eyes of the Arab world.

The paper also claims that Qatar - which the article refers to as a minuscule state - attempted to sabotage Egyptian, Turkish and European efforts in the region, by hosting a summit for the 'axis' states. It was referring to January's summit in Doha concerning Operation Cast Lead, which was attended by leaders of hard-line states such as Iran and Syria, and boycotted by Western-backed states such as Egypt and Saudi Arabia.

Finally, the article also lashes out at the Muslim Brotherhood, which it claims had been planning to exert it influence to organize protests, encourage chaos and bring about a regime change. It also tried to pressure Cairo into opening the Rafah crossing and agreeing to demands which would bring about the annulment of Egypt's peace accords with Israel and ignite a new war.