CAIRO: Coptic Christians have decided to end their sit-in at 12pm on Thursday, said Father Mettias Nasr, the leader of the protest. The decision came after a press conference was held to announce the reasons for the resolution of the protest and its suspension until May 27. The conference was attended by representatives of the demonstrators, prominent figures of the January 25 Revolution Youth Coalition, and some political figures. Egypt's Coptic Christians have been sitting-in outside Maspiro, the Egyptian television and radio headquarters, since May 8 in protest of violent sectarian clashes on May 7. The decision to suspend the protest was made because of governmental compliance to some urgent demands, including the release of 17 young Copts arrested during clashes at Maspiro last week, said organizers. The Ministry of Interior's decision to open three previously closed churches tomorrow also figured into the decision. Bishop Wanis Church Minya, the Church of the Virgin and Bishop Abram in Ain Shams and the Church of the Virgin in Assiut are to be opened tomorrow. The Ministry has also promised to release Tasony Mary Ragheb before the end of the month. Protest organizers said a unified law for opening places of worship will be passed within the next few days, after discussion of a bill submitted by the Ministry of Justice. Only one session remains before it is ratified.
