UN CHIEF CALLS FOR RELEASE OF EGYPT’S MORSI
New York, 18 Ramadan 1434/26 July 2013 (MINA) – UN leader Ban Ki-moon on Thursday called on the Egyptian military to free overthrown president Mohammed Morsi and Muslim Brotherhood leaders.
Deputy UN spokesman Eduardo del Buey said Friday, that Ban demanded that Morsi and his high-level backers “be released or have their cases reviewed transparently without delay, the Live Mint quoted by Mi’raj News Agency (MINA) as reporting.
Morsi and several Muslim Brotherhood leaders have been detained since the military drove him from power on 3 July in response to massive protests calling for his ouster.
With tensions again rising in Egypt ahead of rival rallies by followers of Morsi and the army on Friday, the spokesman said Ban “is following closely, and with growing concern, developments in Egypt.
“The secretary general once again urges all sides to act with maximum restraint. He supports the rights of all Egyptians to hold peaceful protests.”
“He calls on the interim authorities to ensure law and order along with guaranteeing the safety and security of all Egyptians.”
“Ban renews his calls for a meaningful national dialogue and an inclusive reconciliation process. The aim must be to chart a peaceful path towards a full return of civilian control, constitutional order, and democratic governance,” said del Buey.
On July 25, Hisham Qandil, who was the prime minister before Morsi was ousted, proposed a three-stage roadmap for Egypt in a video recording posted on YouTube, Press TV reports.
The former premier said both opponents and supporters of Morsi should refrain from marches and stage demonstrations only in fixed locations.
Qandil also urged the release of prisoners arrested in the days which led up to Morsi’s ouster, and those detained ever since, adding that a delegation must visit Morsi to make sure of his health.
Muslim Brotherhood leader Mohamed Badie has called on Egyptians to peacefully make a “stand for freedom and legitimacy, and against the bloody coup.”
On July 22, Morsi’s family said they plan to take legal action against the head of Egypt’s army for having “kidnapped” the toppled president.
“We are taking local and international legal measures against Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, the leader of the bloody military coup, and his putschist group,” Morsi’s daughter Shaimaa Mohamed Morsi told a news conference.
Morsi’s son Osama also said the family had not heard from him since his ouster. The family held the army responsible for the health and safety of Morsi.
Mohamed Morsi is being held at an undisclosed location. (T/P09/E1)
Mi’raj News Agency (MINA).
