CAIRO - The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, which is the de facto ruling body in Egypt, has pledged that the Army will spare no effort to weed out cynical elements at home and abroad, which are attempting to fuel the flames of sectarianism in Egypt. The SCAF appears to have announced what could be an all-out war on these diabolical elements, having obtained substantial evidence about them. General Sami Abul Atta Diab, who sits on the SCAF's board, said that Egyptians would soon have reason to appreciate that the Army was being serious about this. Although he didn't elaborate, he dismissed the idea that tolerance alone will uproot sectarianism. He stressed that Egypt's unshakeable unity depends on justice and equality the principles enshrined in citizenship. Diab disclosed that poorly educated clergymen and radical elements that were loyal to Hosni Mubarak should be held accountable for the tragic violence between Egypt's Muslims and Copts. He also confessed to the upsetting fact that a number of Muslims and Copts were victims of religious persecution and injustice. The SCAF's comments came at a seminar organised by the Army, entitled ‘Moderation and Centrality between Muslims and Copts', attended by a galaxy of popular and influential clergymen from both communities. Mainstream Muslims and Copts in Egypt apparently support the use of an iron fist and even a sledgehammer to fend off sectarianism, which has been repeatedly raising its ugly head since the eruption of the revolution. If tough, drastic measures are not taken within the framework of the law, the devilish plans of elements seeking to ignite tragic sectarianism in Egypt will succeed.
