Egypt summons, ‘totally condemns’ Iran diplomat

Cairo rages over Tehran’s latest statements on the surge of violence in the country

By AP 6 January 2014, 11:53 pm

Edit

A military soldier walks through heavy smoke from clashes with supporters of Egypt’s ousted Islamist President Mohammed Morsi in Mediterranean city of Alexandria, Egypt, Friday, Jan. 3, 2014. (photo credit: AP/Heba Khamis)

CAIRO — Egypt’s Foreign Ministry on Monday summoned Iran’s top diplomat in the country to express its “total condemnation” of comments he and other Iranian officials made recently about the surge of violence here.

The ministry said in a statement Monday the recent Iranian statements are “rejected” and reflect a “lack of knowledge or intentional overlooking” of facts.

An Iranian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman had expressed her country’s concern Saturday about the rise in violence in Egypt during protests, urging the government and supporters of ousted Islamist president Mohammed Morsi to maintain peace and seek dialogue.

Egypt also has summoned Qatar’s top diplomat in Cairo for similar statements.

Egypt and Iran severed ties after Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution. Iran operates an interest section in Cairo under a charge d’affaires without an ambassador.