Egyptian assistant FM meets Italian ambassador over consulate attack

Assistant Foreign Minister for European Affairs Hatem Seif el Nasr met on Sunday with Italian Ambassador in Cairo Maurizio Massari for talks on the terrorist attack that targeted the Italian consulate in downtown Cairo on Saturday.

The Egyptian official reiterated his country's determination to fight terrorism, expounding progress realized so far by the army and police in the fight against terror.

One person was killed and ten others were wounded when a booby-trapped car targeted the Italian consulate.

He underlined the importance of garnering efforts of the international community to uproot terrorism, urging friendly countries to back Egypt in its fierce fight against terrorism.

He stressed that such terrorist operations will not dissuade the Egyptian government from going ahead with the roadmap plan and economic development programs.

He stressed that protecting diplomatic missions in Egypt is a top priority of the Egyptian government.

The Italian consulate was off at the time of the blast and none of its staffers were wounded.

The Italian ambassador expressed his country's support to Egypt in face of terrorism, offering condolences to the family of the Egyptian citizen who was killed in the blast.

He also praised Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahlab's decision to restore the Italian consulate building at the state expense.