Iranian MP Calls for Int’l Community’s Action against Massacre of Egyptians

A senior Iranian legislator condemned the recent brutal crackdown of protestors in Egypt, and called on the international community to take action against the current bloodshed in the North African country.
“We strongly condemn this savage behavior of the US-backed Egyptian army, and firmly demand that they (the army) stop the massacre of people and let a democratic government be established in Egypt,” Parliament’s First Vice-Speaker Mohammad Reza Bahonar said on Wednesday.

He underlined that the international community, the United Nations in particular, should break their silence on the ongoing turmoil in Egypt, and defend the rights of Egyptians.

In a relevant statement on Wednesday, the Iranian Foreign Ministry condemned use of force and massacre of people in Egypt, and called on all involved parties to practice self-restraint and adopt peaceful approaches.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran’s Foreign Ministry follows the bitter and regrettable events in Egypt thoroughly and voices its deep concern about the grave consequences of such events, while it also condemns violent behaviors and killing of the people,” the statement said.

“The (Iranian) foreign ministry invites all involved groups to self-restraint, warns of the grave and dangerous consequences of the present trend, taking into account the current crises in the region, and underlines the necessity for the immediate cessation of this trend,” it added.

The Iranian foreign ministry warned that in case the present trend of events continues in Egypt, the Zionist enemy, extremist groups and the world arrogant powers’ hirelings will take advantage of the occasion and place obstacles to the development and progress of Egypt by derailing the Egyptian people’s revolution.

Egyptian troops staged a crackdown on protesters that turned deadly Wednesday morning in efforts to clear two antigovernment sit-ins in Cairo, a development that observers worry could plunge the already divided country further into uncontrollable violence.

Dozens of Egyptian protesters were reported killed in clashes after security forces moved in to forcefully disperse protesters loyal to ousted President Mohammed Mursi at protest camps in Cairo early Wednesday.

Egypt plunged into violence after the country’s army ousted President Mursi, a senior leader of Ikhwan al-Muslimun party, 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.

Later in July, 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 in the last few weeks, but many worry that today’s clashes may spark a regrettable surge in bloodshed.