Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Thursday (July 21st) warned against attempts to drive a wedge between Egyptians and vowed to hold violators accountable amid a recent series of violent sectarian attacks in the country's south, Egypt's Ahram Online reported.
Speaking during a military graduation ceremony, al-Sisi urged national unity among Egyptians, saying Christians and Muslims are equal in rights and duties.
"We have to pay attention to all attempts being made to drive a wedge between Egyptians," he said, referring to string of attacks on Christians in Minya.
Alluding to a recent incident in which a Coptic Christian was stabbed to death during a street argument, al-Sisi vowed that "whoever made a mistake will be held to account by law, starting from the president".
Pope Tawadros II, head of Egypt's Coptic Orthodox Church, also warned Thursday that Egyptians should not allow anyone to exploit recent events and compromise national unity.
In a statement after meeting with al-Sisi, Tawadros said the president had stressed the importance of the participation of all segments of society in creating a unifying culture against "evil forces".
