CAIRO: Egyptian Prime Minister Essam Sharaf met with representatives of Coptic Christian demonstrators on Wednesday. Sharaf confirmed his government's commitment to resolving all issues related to Christian citizens and ending all forms of sectarian tension. Coptic Christians are entering the fifth day of a sit-in before the Egyptian Television and Radio building, Maspiro, in downtown Cairo. The sit-in began after clashes late Saturday night left 13 dead, over 200 injured and a church in ashes in Cairo's poverty-stricken Imbaba neighborhood. Sharaf told the representatives that he has ordered the formation of a special committee to study the problems of Coptic Christians related to churches and the Coptic services organization that was shut down by the former regime. Sharaf said he will investigate reopening the organization. Copts presented a memorandum to the Prime Minister demanding the arrest of those who have fueled sectarian violence and all those involved in committing crimes against Copts. They demanded that prosecution and punitive actions be taken. They also demanded the formation of a fact-finding committee composed of Muslim and Christian public figures to investigate crimes committed against Copts since January 25. The proposed committee would submit its report to the public prosecution to take legal measures and release any innocent person who was arrested in connection with the events in Masara, Soul, Abu-Qerqas, or Imbaba. Coptic Christians comprise about 10-12 percent of the Egyptian population. More about the Imbaba incident here.
