JAMA’A AL-ISLAMIYA CALLS ON PARTIES TO MULL CIVILIAN SECURITY

       Cairo, 8 Jumadil Awal 1434/18 March 2013 (MINA) – The Construction and Development Party, Jama’a al-Islamiya’s political arm, called on all political parties Sunday (17/3) to find ways to use popular committees to restore security, which police have been unable to do, rather than asking the army to fulfill that task.

       The party said in a statement Sunday that it does not want the army to be involved in this matter so as not to repeat developments that have taken place in Libya and Syria, according to Egypt Independent report monitored by Mi’raj News Agency (MINA) Monday (18/3).

       Popular committees formed during the 25 January revolution when police withdrew from the streets. Islamists again formed popular committees when 60 police departments and 34 Central Security Forces camps went on strike earlier this month.

       The Jama’a al-Islamiya had organized a demonstration with motorcycles last Wednesday to condemn the violence that took place in Port Said, a city still experiencing instability after clashes between police and demonstrators that left 48 people dead, and forced police to withdraw and hand over the city’s security to the military.

         The group’s statement said popular committees must operate within the law and the Shura Council’s consent, be formed from all spectrums of the Egyptian people as opposed to a single faction, and be controlled by regulations to help police without committing excesses.

The statement ended by saying this call is obligatory for all political groups if they want to safeguard the country’s interests. (T/P03/E1)

 Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)