CAIRO: Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi condemned violence against Christians in Egypt on Wednesday, adding his voice to a growing list of leaders who have expressed concern. Berlusconi, who has close ties with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, said recent attacks in the Middle East were an attempt to undermine moderate Arab governments. Berlusconi said, “Egypt is an ally and expressed solidarity with the country and its leadership, adding that Italy believes the sorrowful attack against the Coptic Church of Alexandria was a serious episode of terrorism, which has hit the entire Egyptian community and its moderate leadership”. “Italy cannot but reiterate its concern for the episodes, in recent months in particular, that have bloodied the Middle East and in which Christians have been victims of cruel attacks,” he said. Berlusconi's comments came after Pope Benedict XVI's call for more effective measures to protect religious minorities, which caused ire in Egypt. The Egyptian Government considered the remarks “unacceptable interference” in its internal affairs. In Berlin, the foreign ministers of Italy and Germany attending a summit urged the European Union to work with countries where inter-religious violence had occurred. The Council of EU Foreign Ministers on January 31 is expected to suggest ways for cooperation to protect religious rights and promote dialogue, they said. A New Year bombing outside a church in the Egyptian city of Alexandria killed 23 people and wounded 100, and prompted demonstrations by both Christians and Muslims. Two people were killed and at least 16 wounded in a series of bomb attacks on the homes of minority Christians in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, on December 30. Berlusconi's statements came as Egypt renewed its refusal to allow foreign intervention in its affairs in the aftermath of two recent attacks on Coptic Christians. Egypt's Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif said in an interview with a state-owned TV channel on Wednesday that Egypt is able to protect its citizens alone, whether they are a minority or a majority, stressing that Egypt refuses foreign intervention in its affairs regarding Copts and Muslims. BM
