CAIRO: Egypt will make it through the recent incident between members of the Coptic Christian Church and the Egyptian military at the Radio and Television headquarters (Maspiro), said former Lebanese President Ameen el-Gamal. Egyptian officials are worried that Egypt might descend into sectarian chaos, el-Gamal said. “The Lebanese feel that these incidents should not cause Egyptians, non-Egyptians, Muslims or Copts to worry,” he said, responding to a questions regarding the possibility of increased strife between the religious forces. “We heard there are some infiltrators who triggered the incidents and there is an investigation into this matter,” el-Gamal said. “We trust the Egyptians' maturity and awareness of responsibility towards patriotism and humanity; Egypt will pass these political situations and prepare a new vision for Egypt including freedom of religion and participation for all in the future,” he added. He also noted that his visit to Egypt is not linked with the Arab League's meeting with foreign ministers because he received the invitation prior to the scheduling of the Syrian meeting at the Arab League. El-Gamal met with Egyptian leaders in the foreign ministry and Pope Shenouda III of Alexandria during his Cairo visit. El-Gamal discussed the Arab situation in general with the Egyptian Foreign Minister, and he agreed on the necessity of creating frameworks that serve the peoples' interests in terms of freedom, equality and democracy. “We do not hope to incite a civil war in any Arab country because this would be a tragedy for the entire Arab community,” el-Gamal said in response to a question about the protracted strife in Syria. “But we hope the Syrian situation settles down and achieves a turning point for freedom and democracy.” There are no positive results of resolutions, el-Gamal answered when asked about the international investigation into the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafic al-Harir.
