Hague concerned about latest violence in Egypt

UK Foreign Secretary, William Hague expressed his concern about the violence took place in Cairo yesterday. According to the FCO press release, obtained by Arabstoday, William Hague said today in a statement:"I am deeply concerned by the unrest yesterday in Cairo and I condemn the loss of life. I urge all Egyptians to refrain from violence and support the Egyptian Prime Minister's call for calm. It is essential that all sides take immediate steps to de-escalate the situation and engage in dialogue. The freedom of religious belief is a universal human right which needs to be protected everywhere, and the ability to worship in peace is a vital component of any free and democratic society". An official source announced the death of 24 people and the injury of 212 others in shootings and clashes between the army and Coptic Christian protestors who were protesting against the demolishing of a church in Aswan in Egypt, outside the TV and Radio Union building in Cairo on Sunday, prompting a curfew in central Cairo. Although a curfew was set in place, PM Essam Sharaf, in a speech he made on Monday dawn local time, accused “inside and outside elements” in standing behind the attacks to ‘mess with national unity.’