Egyptian developments run contrary to democracy: Iran

TEHRAN,July 10(MNA) – The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Tuesday that the ongoing developments in Egypt contravene the process of democracy and the ideals of the Egyptian nation. During his weekly press conference, Abbas Araqchi also said Tehran’s declared position toward developments in Egypt should not be interpreted as interference in the country’s internal affairs. He also expressed regret over the killing of a number of Egyptian people and called on all parties to exercise restraint, cautioning against the consequences of such acts of violence in the region. “We hope that people’s demands and the principles of democracy would be respected and Egyptian parties would reach a consensus to maintain the internal unity of Egypt,” Araqchi stated. He emphasized that national dialogue and reconciliation is the only solution to the Egyptian crisis and the people in the country should not allow foreign hands to lead the country toward internal conflicts which could weaken the Muslim country. According to foreign media reports, about 53 people were killed in Cairo on Monday, when loyalists angered by the military overthrow of President Mohamed Morsi said they were fired on at the Cairo military barracks where he is being held. Last Wednesday, Egypt’s military officers removed Morsi, suspended the Constitution and installed an interim government presided over by a senior jurist. No Iran-5+1 talks until new govt. takes office On the timing of the next meeting between Iran and the six major world powers (the United States, Britain, France, Russia, China, and Germany), Araqchi said that until Iranian President-elect Hassan Rohani has not officially taken the office, no negotiation will be held. Iran calls on Syrians to lay down arms during Ramadan Elsewhere in his remarks, the Iranian official called on the conflicting sides in Syria to put down their arms during the holy month of Ramadan, which begins on Wednesday, and sit on the negotiating table. He reiterated Tehran’s position that the Islamic Republic was seeking a political solution to the Syrian crisis, warning that the violence in Syria may spill over into other regional countries.