Iranian FM Underlines National Unity, Solidarity in Egypt

Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi in a meeting with his Turkish counterpart Davutoglu stressed respect for the Egyptian people’s decision, but meantime, asked for unity and solidarity among all Egyptian groups.
“The Egyptian people’s decision is respected by everyone and the democracy process which has started in Egypt will be a durable process and will be strengthened day by day,” Salehi said during the meeting in Ankara on Saturday.

He underscored the importance of consolidating national unity and solidarity in Egypt through unity among Egyptian elites and all sides in the country.

In relevant remarks on Friday, Salehi underlined that the Egyptian people should decide their own fate.

The Iranian foreign minister made the remark in a telephone conversation with his Egyptian counterpart Mohamed Kamel Amr.

“Egypt’s fate should be determined by its own nation and that any decision made by the Egyptian people should be respected by all,” Salehi said in his phone conversation with Amr.

The Iranian foreign minister called on all Egyptian political groups and elites to join hands and consolidate national unity as soon as possible.

“The Islamic Republic has always sought and will seek the best relations with Egypt,” the top Iranian diplomat pointed out.

The Egyptian minister, for his part, called for the enhancement of ties with Iran, voicing hope his contacts with his Iranian counterpart would continue.

Egypt plunged into violence after the country’s army ousted President Mohamed Mursi, suspended the constitution, and dissolved the parliament on July 3. The military overthrow followed days of mass protests against Mursi.

The army also declared chief justice of Egypt’s Supreme Constitutional Court, Adly Mansour, as interim president.

On Wednesday, the Egyptian Prosecutor General ordered the arrest of Muslim Brotherhood leaders including the supreme leader of the group, Mohammed Badie, on charges of inciting violence.

Many people have been killed in violent clashes involving supporters and opponents of Mursi and security forces over the past few days, with more than 80 deaths reported on July 8 alone.