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Russia’s FM expresses concern over events in Egypt

“The events that are underway in friendly Egypt raise concerns,” a Ministry official said

MOSCOW, November 21 (Itar-Tass) — Russia’s Foreign Ministry has expressed concern over ongoing events in Egypt and recommended tourists to refrain from making trips outside their resorts.

“The events that are underway in friendly Egypt raise concerns,” a Ministry official said. “Over the past several days mass riots in Cairo, Alexandria and other big cities of Egypt took place turning into clashes of protesters with police. According to the incoming reports, hundreds of people were wounded, casualties were reported.”

“The opposition accuses the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces of its intention to protract the process of handing over the power to the civil authorities and of its attempts to fix independence of the army from the civil authorities in the country’s future constitution,” the official said. “The discussion on the draft constitution will be continued in the Egyptian society.”

“We see the way out of the existing situation in preventing violence, showing restraint by all parties, resolving the emerging problems and contradictions that are natural at the stage of fundamental democratic reforms in the country through the dialogue and without the use of force,” the ministry said. “We are confident that this will allow to ensure peace and stability and continue the process of pressing social and economic reforms launched in the Arab Republic of Egypt for the good of all Egyptians.”

“At the same time we reiterate our recommendations for Russian citizens staying in the republic to avoid districts of mass protests and demonstrations and those who arrived in the country as tourists to refrain from travelling outside their resort destinations.”

The situation in Egypt was high on the agenda at the meeting of Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov and Egyptian Ambassador to Russia Alaa El Hadidi.

“From our part we expressed the hope that stability, law and order will be ensured in the country in order to continue the process of deep social and political reforms meeting aspirations of all layers of the population,” the Ministry official said after the meeting.