World leaders have called for an immediate end to violence which broke out between pro-government supporters and protestors seeking its removal in Cairo on Wednesday.
The Egyptian Government has said that five were killed and 836 injured during the violence so far. Including stone throwing and gunfire, it was centred on Tahrir Square which has been occupied by protestors since last Tuesday.
Egypt’s new Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq apologised for the violence on television on Thursday, calling it a “fatal error” and promising to hold those who caused it accountable.
The US and European leaders have called for an immediate transition of power in the country – a call which has hitherto been rejected by President Hosni Mubarak who has said that while he will not stand for election again, he intended to serve out his term in office which ends in September.
In Australia meanwhile, the Australian Christian Lobby called on the Australian Government to step up its diplomatic efforts to ensure any change of power in Egypt would secure the safety and rights of minority groups including Coptic Christians.
Jim Wallace, managing director of the ACL, said that any new government should protect the freedoms of Egyptians including the Copts and other Christians.
“Islamic Governments in the Middle East, including the Government in Iraq, have a poor track record of protecting Christian minorities,” he said.
“An Islamist Government in Cairo would be a set-back for the human rights of women and Christians in the Middle East.”
Mr Wallace said ACL shared the concerns of Melbourne-based Bishop Anba Suriel, of the Coptic Orthodox Church, about the potential of an extremist group taking government in the country.
“The Australian Government needs to be very active in international efforts to ensure any new Government in Egypt will be tolerant of religious minorities, including Christians.”
