August 20, 2013 (TSR) – Egypt is facing a war waged by ” terrorist forces,” a presidential spokesman said Saturday in reference to recent clashes between security men and supporters of ousted President Mohamed Morsi across the country.
Spokesman Mostafa Hegazi told reporters here that what is happening in Egypt and the protests held by Morsi’s supporters were “acts of real terror” instead of a political dispute.
Hegazi said pro-Morsi protesters had been “randomly shooting with machine guns, killing innocent people standing on the balconies,” referring to Friday’s march on 15th May Bridge where some protesters were seen carrying arms and randomly shooting around.
He described the rule of the deposed president as “religious fascism” and called the practices of Morsi’s supporters “religious terrorism.”
“We will defeat the violence and terrorism in our battle against them … not only by the security forces but also by the force of law and within the framework of human rights,” said the presidential spokesman.
“The Muslim Brotherhood gatherings have turned from expressing opinions into inciting violence,” he said, noting that the presidency has called many times upon Morsi’s loyalists to listen to the voice of reasons and return home but in vain.
“Killing the officers and torching the churches in several governorates is terrorism,” he said, adding that Egypt is not a weak country and has all rights like any sovereign country to use force when necessary to deal with terrorism.
The door is open for Muslim Brotherhood members who condemn violence to take part in the future roadmap, Hegazi said, reiterating that “not all Muslim Brotherhood members use violence. ”
Egypt is exerting efforts to legalize the Muslim Brotherhood group or any other groups that work for the public, Hegazi said, answering a question about dissolving the group.
Applying the roadmap firmly and achieving the Egyptians’ demands in drafting a constitution that achieves the Egyptian aspirations, and establishing a country based on transparency and justice, will send assurance messages for the West, said the spokesman.
He said Saturday’s press conference aimed at “clarifying the current situation in Egypt as the presidency felt bitter over some international media outlets’ coverage which is biased.”
“So many real stories were missed in the international media about Egypt,” he said.
