Iran condemns violence in Egypt

Iran Foreign Ministry Spokesman Abbas Araqchi has censured the ongoing violence in Egypt, urging respect for the Egyptian people™s demand.

œThe Islamic Republic of Iran condemns acts of violence [in Egypt] and will make effort to resolve the problem,” Araqchi said in a meeting with members of the Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Committee on Sunday.

He stressed the importance of paying attention to and respecting the demands of the Egyptian people.

œThe Islamic Republic of Iran will actively seek to improve the situation in Egypt,” the Foreign Ministry spokesman pointed out.

Egypt plunged into violence after the country™s powerful military ousted the first democratically-elected president, Mohammad Morsi, suspended the constitution, and dissolved the parliament on July 3.

The army declared chief justice of Egypt™s Supreme Constitutional Court, Adly Mansour, as interim president on July 4.

Since then, the new military-backed administration has intensified its crackdown on the Muslim Brotherhood, Morsi™s political party, issuing arrest warrants for many of the group’s members.

On July 8, Araqchi dismissed as œunacceptable” the Egyptian army™s intervention in the political affairs of the North African country, saying foreign hands are at work in Egypt.

œDefinitely there are foreign hands at work and this issue cannot be denied…. Without a doubt, a strong Egypt will not be desired by Westerners and the Zionist regime [of Israel]. Therefore, it is natural to consider their meddling in Egypt a possibility,” he added.

SF/HGH/SS