Interim President Adly Mansour has said that the demonstrations of 26 July confirm that Egyptians have political awareness. “We must forget our differences because Egyptians are one fabric and must unite to build this nation,” Mansour told Al-Hayat satellite channel on Friday evening. He said anyone who has committed a crime, including incitement, will be punished by law. “We cannot negotiate with those who have committed crimes against the people,” he said. He said that he will not accept the absence of law in the streets of Egypt. “The state must show everyone that it exists and has institutions,” he said. “I call on the world to watch what is taking place in Egypt and then judge if this is a coup or the will of the people.” “I never thought that I would be in this position,” he said, pointing out that he has a difficult mission. “I am the president of all Egyptians and not just of a particular group.” “I tell the demonstrators in Rabaa al-Adaweya and al-Nahda squares to not be afraid and to go home safely, for the people have said that there will be no turning back,” he said. “And I personally pledge to them that they will not be persecuted.” Edited translation from MENA
