S/Africa to withdraw staff from embassy in Egypt

Just as the South African government said it will immediately begin the withdrawal of all non-essential personal from its embassy in Cairo. Egypt's interim president, Adli Mansour,  on Thursday called on the Muslim Brotherhood to take part in a broad national dialogue, making a peace overture to the Islamist group as authorities launched a crackdown against its leaders.

The Brotherhood's Mohamed Morsi, who was overthrown by the army after unprecedented mass protests to demand that he should step down, was being held at the Defence Ministry.

``The Muslim Brotherhood is invited to participate in the political life and will not be excluded. If they answer the call, they will be welcomed," Mansour said.

Prosecutors issued an arrest warrant for Brotherhood leader Mohammed Badie, and his deputy Khayrat al-Shater.

They are under investigation for inciting the killing of peaceful protesters, the official Middle East News Agency reported.

In an inaugural address, Mansour, the former head of Egypt's top court, hailed the mass demonstrations that preceded the army's decision to suspend the constitution and overthrow Morsi.

``The greatest achievement of June 30 was that it brought the whole people together without distinction, speaking for the nation's conscience and embodying its aspirations,” Mansour said, referring to Sunday's anti-Morsi protests.

Military chief Abdel-Fattah Al-Sissi said in a televised address on Wednesday that Mansour would rule the country along with a government of independents until parliamentary and presidential elections were

held. No dates have been set for the polls.

Other Brotherhood leaders are under house arrest and its Misr25 television channel has been shut down,

as have other Islamist channels and the Cairo offices of the allied Qatari broadcaster Al-Jazeera.

Tens of thousands of Morsi opponents erupted in celebration in Tahrir Square during Al-Sissi speech, cheering and letting off fireworks into the early hours of the morning.

It was a stark contrast to scenes at a square near the presidential palace where Morsi supporters held up pictures of the deposed leader and shouting slogans condemning the military and the opposition.

Opposition groups accused Morsi of reneging on an election promise of inclusive governance.

They say he failed to address deepening economic and social woes, focusing instead on consolidating the Brotherhood's grip on power.

Rising energy and food costs further fueled public anger against his government and prompted at times violent mass protests.

In an apparent attempt to placate Morsi's Islamist backers, the army said it would not tolerate any violence, including attacks on Islamists.

``The measures taken by the Armed Forces’ command did not at all mean to underestimate your role and standing,’’ military spokesman Ahmed Ali said in a statement.


``The Armed Forces will not allow insults, which would provoke attacks on Islamists.’’

S/Africa to withdraw all non-essential members of staff from embassy in Egypt

The South African government will immediately begin the withdrawal of all non-essential personal from its embassy in Cairo, the international relations department said on Thursday.

``All non-essential personnel and families attached to the South African embassy in Cairo will be temporarily withdrawn until the situation allows for their return," Clayson Monyela spokesperson for department said in a statement.

He said the embassy would, however, remain open and would continue rendering consular assistance to South Africans in Egypt.

Monyela said government had observed with concern the suspension of the constitution in Egypt and the ``removal from office of democratically elected President Mohamed Morsi''.

``Instability in Egypt may have far-reaching consequences on the already precarious political and economic situation in the country, as well as the North African region and Middle East," the statement said.

Monyela said South Africa was opposed to all forms of unconstitutional change of government, in line with the AU Constitutive Act.

``We strongly encourage all Egyptians to resolve the present crisis through inclusive dialogue within the relevant national legal framework, that seeks to consolidate the democratic achievements made by the Egyptian people in January 2011," Monyela said.

He urged South Africans intending to travel to Egypt to reconsider doing so. (NAN)