The Muslim Brotherhood's leader is blaming remnants of the disbanded National Democratic Party for the violence that erupted during a Coptic protest Sunday, killing at least 26 and injuring more than 300.
Muslim Brotherhood Supreme Guide Mohamed Badie said former NDP members had issued a number of statements saying they would "set Egypt on fire" if the government adopted a law that would ban them from any political activity.
During a conference in the village of Nagaa Hammadi last week, thousands of former NDP loyalists and MPs in Upper Egypt threatened to occupy police stations and block roads if the law was enforced.
"They threatened to set Egypt on fire,” said Badie, alleging that the former ruling party members are now executing their threat. “This was announced and a stance against those who made this announcement should have been taken.
"We must be a little patient and when there is an elected parliament that monitors the ministers and cabinet elected by the people, it will certainly set in place a long-term plan to solve all problems,” he said.
Badie added that it would be a good idea to appoint an ombudsman to investigate complaints.
He said he rejects the calls of some political movements and parties for the resignation of Prime Minister Essam Sharaf’s cabinet in response to the Maspero events, explaining that "Sharaf’s cabinet is a transitional one.”
He said the solution is an elected parliament that monitors the government and its crisis management plans.
Translated from the Arabic Edition
