MORSY CONDEMNS BLOODSHED, SAYS LEGAL ACTION WILL BE TAKEN

Cairo, 13 Jumadil Awwal 1434/25 March 2013 (MINA ) – President Mohamed Morsy said he would not allow more Egyptian blood to be shed, describing ongoing violence in several governorates between Muslim Brotherhood supporters and opponents of having “nothing to do with the revolution, but is violence, riots and attacks on public and private properties.”

“All Egyptian blood is precious,” Morsy tweeted Sunday (24/3), according to Egypt Independent reports monitored by Mi’raj News Agency (MINA).

Clashes  erupted Friday  (22/3) between Brotherhood members and opponents demonstrating near the Brotherhood Guidance Bureau’s headquarters in Moqattam. More than 200 people sustained injuries.

Previously, the minority political groups, Morsy’s opponents, called for protests on Friday at the headquarters of the Muslim Brotherhood.

Egypt’s opposition coalition, the National Salvation Front, condemned the violence. “We condemn violence against citizens or property and we will not remain silent against excessive violence by security forces, nor against violence by individuals belonging to the Muslim Brotherhood or other far-right religious groups,” said a statement by the NSF.

Morsy called for all parties if it is to carry out a protest should be accompanied by peacefull action, not violence. “Peaceful demonstration is a right for all,” the president said. Morsy also called on all political groups “not to provide any political cover for acts of violence and riot.”

“State bodies are recovering and are able to deter violators,” the president said. “Legal measures will be taken against those who are proved to be involved in violence, whether politicians or media outlets.”

The president vowed to take action against politicians “disregarding their standing,” adding that some use media outlets to instigate violence.

He stressed that instigators would not escape punishment. “Instigators are participants in the crime,” he said. (T/P03)

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)