Egypt says its citizens are free to fight Assad

Senior official in Cairo states that those who join Syria rebels will not face prosecution

Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi attends the third session of the Arab Economic Summit, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Monday, January 21, 2013. (photo credit: AP)
Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi attends the third session of the Arab Economic Summit, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Monday, January 21, 2013. (photo credit: AP)

CAIRO (AP) — A senior official in Egypt’s presidency says Egyptians are free to join the fight in Syria and will not be prosecuted upon return.

In a response to an Associated Press question Thursday about the government’s stance on citizens going to fight alongside Syrian rebels, Khaled al-Qazzaz said that “the right of travel or freedom of travel is open for all Egyptians”.

He said that after the 2011 uprising, the government no longer punishes Egyptians for what they do in other countries. Al-Qazzaz, a foreign affairs adviser to Islamist President Mohammed Morsi, said the presidency does not consider Egyptian nationals in Syria a threat to Egypt’s security.

His comments come just days after influential Egyptian cleric Yusuf al-Qaradawi urged Sunnis everywhere to join the fight against Syrian President Bashar Assad.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.

Most Popular
read more:
If you’d like to comment, join
The Times of Israel Community.
Join The Times of Israel Community
Commenting is available for paying members of The Times of Israel Community only. Please join our Community to comment and enjoy other Community benefits.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Confirm Mail
Thank you! Now check your email
You are now a member of The Times of Israel Community! We sent you an email with a login link to . Once you're set up, you can start enjoying Community benefits and commenting.