Egypt, Elsewedy review progress on Ain Sokhna phosphate complex    US employment cost index 3.6% up in year to June 2025    Egypt welcomes Canada, Malta's decision to recognise Palestinian state    Pakistan says successfully concluded 'landmark trade deal' with US    Sterling set for sharpest monthly drop since 2022    Egypt, Brazil sign deal to boost pharmaceutical cooperation    Modon Holding posts AED 2.1bn net profit in H1 2025    Egypt's Electricity Ministry says new power cable for Giza area operational    Egypt's Al-Sisi, Italian defence minister discuss Gaza, security cooperation    Egypt's FM discusses Gaza, Nile dam with US senators    Aid airdrops intensify as famine deepens in Gaza amid mounting international criticism    Egypt exports first high-tech potato seeds to Uzbekistan after opening market    Health minister showcases AI's impact on healthcare at Huawei Cloud Summit    On anti-trafficking day, Egypt's PM calls fight a 'moral and humanitarian duty'    Egypt strengthens healthcare partnerships to enhance maternity, multiple sclerosis, and stroke care    Egypt keeps Gaza aid flowing, total tops 533,000 tons: minister    Indian Embassy to launch cultural festival in Assiut, film fest in Cairo    Egyptian aid convoy heads toward Gaza as humanitarian crisis deepens    Culture minister launches national plan to revive film industry, modernise cinematic assets    I won't trade my identity to please market: Douzi    Sisi sends letter to Nigerian president affirming strategic ties    Two militants killed in foiled plot to revive 'Hasm' operations: Interior ministry    Egypt, Somalia discuss closer environmental cooperation    Egypt's EHA, Huawei discuss enhanced digital health    Foreign, housing ministers discuss Egypt's role in African development push    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    Three ancient rock-cut tombs discovered in Aswan    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Egypt's Irrigation Minister urges scientific cooperation to tackle water scarcity    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Presidency orders cathedral violence investigation
Published in Daily News Egypt on 08 - 04 - 2013

Pope Tawadros II addressed the unrest surrounding St. Mark's Cathedral in Abbaseya, calling for calm. The pope said he was in constant contact with security officials, including Minister of Interior Mohamed Ibrahim.
“The Presidency asserts its firm rejection of heinous actions that target unity and harmony among the Egyptian people,” said the office of President Mohamed Morsi on its official Twitter account on Monday. “President Morsi ordered an immediate investigation into the cathedral clashes and said the culprits will be brought to justice,” it added. The presidency claimed it had issued directives to the Ministry of the Interior to take “necessary measures” to protect citizens and ordered an immediate investigation.
“President Morsi urged all citizens to avoid being dragged into unlawful acts that would jeopardise the nation's security and stability," the statement added.
Morsi called the head of the Coptic Orthodox Church to confirm that the state was following up on measures to protect the cathedral and the citizens in the area.
Prime Minister Hesham Qandil met with his cabinet on Monday morning to discuss proceedings for measures to be taken at the cathedral, reported state-owned Al-Ahram. The cabinet discussed accelerating a submission for stricter penalties for those carrying unlicenced weapons.
Qandil reportedly also spoke with Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Ahmed Al-Tayyeb and Pope Tawadros II to discuss ways in which such violence could be avoided in the future.
The Muslim Brotherhood's Freedom and Justice Party's (FJP) official statement condemned the violence, blaming the attack on “dubious parties” seeking to create unrest that was “leading to widespread sectarian strife designed to drag the country into chaos that would benefit the enemies of Egypt and their associates, the corrupt criminals”.
A spokesperson for the party's Alexandria branch and secretary of foreign relations Mohamed Soudan blamed the violence on Christians leaving the cathedral after a funeral which took place there on Sunday.
Soudan claims those leaving the cathedral provoked police officers and neighbours, vandalising vehicles in the immediate area.
“The Copts then took their arsenal and started the violence, and it seems they were prepared for a civil war and not a common funeral,” Soudan said in his statement. “Do you think Christians are preparing for something?” he asked.
The National Salvation Front (NSF) condemned the violence, blaming President Morsi, the Muslim Brotherhood, and the Ministry of the Interior. “The [NSF] is demanding an independent and transparent investigation to find the instigators and perpetrators,” the opposition group said in a Monday statement. The Front called for citizens to refrain from violence and support national unity.
Misr Al-Qawia Party said that its chairman Abdel-Moneim Aboul Fotouh spoke with Bishop Moussa of the Youth Bishopric to express his condolences to victims of the violence.
Aboul Fotouh held the Ministry of the Interior accountable for failing in its role to protect the funeral, the place of worship, and public and private property.
The European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs Catherine Ashton, who is in Cairo for talks with prominent political figures, also expressed her concern. “Tonight I am extremely worried about the violent incidents at the [cathedral] in Cairo. On hearing the news I immediately contacted the Presidency, strongly urging restraint and advocating for the security forces to control the situation,” she said in a statement.
The United States Embassy in Cairo also condemned the violence, supporting Morsi's call for an investigation and expressing condolences to Egyptians who had been killed or injured.
Violence erupted at the cathedral on Sunday when mourners were leaving a funeral for Copts killed in Al-Khasous two days before when a fight escalated to sectarian strife.


Clic here to read the story from its source.