Egypt’s army should stop interfering in country’s political affairs: Iran MP

An Iranian lawmaker has stressed the importance of the restoration of democracy in Egypt, urging the Egyptian army to refrain from interfering in the political affairs of the North African country.

“The situation in Egypt has become complicated following the army’s soft coup that aimed to oust [Egyptian President Mohamed] Morsi, but we hope the country will be back on the democracy track at the least possible cost,” said Hojjatollah Soori, who sits on the National Security and Foreign Policy Committee of Iran’s Majlis, on Friday.

He said the toppling of the president of a country by the military is an illegal move, urging the Egyptian army not to meddle in the country’s internal affairs anymore.

He warned that the continuation of the protests by the Muslim Brotherhood can lead to “internal clashes” in Egypt, saying, “There is a strong possibility that the Muslim Brotherhood will proceed with its protests and use this tactic to return to power.”

He emphasized that the Egyptian people can restore democracy through national dialog without any tension or conflict.

On July 3, the Egyptian army announced that Morsi was no longer in office and declared that the head of the Supreme Constitutional Court, Adli Mansour, had been appointed as the country’s interim president.

Since then, Egypt has been the scene of rival rallies and clashes between thousands of the supporters and opponents of Morsi.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman Abbas Araqchi on July 8 dismissed as “unacceptable” the Egyptian army’s intervention in the political affairs of the North African country, saying foreign hands are at work in Egypt.

Morsi is being held “preventively” by the military. Senior army officials say he might face formal charges over accusations made by his opponents.