Lebanese Officials Slam Egypt Riots: Democracy Can't Be Established in this Reality
Lebanese politicians and clergymen have condemned on Monday the riots between Christians and Muslims in Egypt, with some labeling them as being part of an American agenda to fragment the region, while others viewing them as an impediment to democracy.
Hizbullah voiced in a statement “its great pain and sorrow over the developments in Egypt”, saying they are part of the American agenda bent on “completely fragmenting the region along religious and racial lines.”
In a letter addressed to Egypt’s Azhar Sheikh Ahmed al-Taib, Grand Mufti Mohammed Rashid Qabbani stated that al-Taib plays a major role in the “renaissance of the strong and modern Egypt.”
“The Egyptian people have the right to feel secure to take part in this revival,” he added.
For his part, Bishop Samir Mazloum told Akhbar al-Yawm news agency: “Democracy cannot be established in Egypt given the developments in the country.”
Phalange Party chief Amin Gemayel called on the Egyptian leadership “to derive lessons from Sunday’s unrest”.
He told LBC television: “Adopting slogans of unity and freedom is not enough if the leadership is unable to grant the people their rights.”
“We look forward for Egypt, which has always been the pioneer in implementing reform, to pave the way for a new Arab system that can achieve justice and equality,” he added.
“If we don’t establish a system that can contain all the components of society throughout the Arab world, then we are paving the way for a new dark age and hundred years war,” he warned.
Clashes broke out over the weekend between Christians, Muslims, and Egyptian security forces, leaving at least 24 dead and 200 injured.
The clashes began when Christians were protesting a recent church attack.
| Copyright © 2012 Naharnet.com. All Rights Reserved. | https://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/17117 |