Morsi declares support for Syrian revolution

Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi delivered an address before the higher chamber of Egypt’s parliament, the Shura Council as he opened the council’s 33rd session. Discussing conditions in Palestine and Syria, the Muslim Brotherhood President said that “Egypt’s security extends beyond its borders” and referred to the security of Gulf state as an “Arab responsibility.” “Gulf security is an Arab responsibility and all Arabs shall stand shoulder to shoulder to protect their Arab security,” Morsi said. Declaring his support of the Syrian revolution, the Egyptian President said: “The Syrian revolution belongs to the Syrian people and it shall push on, God permit, and we support it. It will go on to fulfill its objectives of freedom, dignity and social justice.” “Syria is our wing in the east with which we fly with our brothers,” Morsi said, adding that Syria will be “united, free and independent for all its people.” The President also named his priority pertaining to the Syrian issue as “stemming the flow of Syrian blood and supporting the return of Syrian refugees until they are back in their motherland.” On the Palestinian issue, Morsi said “The Palestinian cause is the focal point of our concerns and we will spare no efforts in supporting the right of the Palestinian people to achieve national reconciliation through its own will and for it to obtain its right to self-determination.” On local issues, Morsi said that work on the Suez Canal regional development project will begin with it as a “service centre,” describing the plan as “one of the most important project for Egypt’s renaissance, multiplying the canal’s revenue 20 times and contributing to the development of Sinai.” He also said that the government had allocated land for investments in agriculture and poultry farming, adding that arable land area used for wheat crops rose to 300 acres with an increase of 204 acres since last year. Morsi also told of 20,000 job opportunity created in the industrial field. Meanwhile, protestors marched from Tahrir Square to the perimeter of parliament, chanting for the downfall of the regime and against the newly-passed constitution and the regime, which they believe is dominated by the Muslim Brotherhood.