MOI: Armed groups target security forces and public facilities

Tuesday 29-01-2013 11:07 PM
MOI: Armed groups target security forces and public facilities

Protesters set fire to police armored vehicle in Tahrir Sqaure of Cairo on January 28, 2013. - Ahmed Hamed/Aswat Masriya

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The Egyptian Ministry of Interior said on Tuesday that its forces were exposed to unprecedented attacks while securing protests.

The ministry said that armed groups assaulted public facilities through violent confrontations with security forces.

"The ministry emphasizes its firm belief in the citizen's right to peaceful expression of opinion and peaceful protests. Security forces exert all efforts to protect citizens while exercising this right. Nevertheless our forces were subjected to unsurpassed attacks associated with the emergence of violent groups," said the spokesman of the Ministry of Interior.

In a statement published on the ministry's Facebook page, he pointed out that they monitored some infiltrated groups sneaking into peaceful protests in order to break into several government bodies.

These armed groups target public utility services and storm into tourist facilities. They halted the railway and underground trains and brought the 6 October and Qasr al-Nil bridges to a standstill.

He added that the security forces captured a number of members of those groups, saying that they will bring them to justice.

He stressed that the ongoing turbulent political scene will slow down the process of reaching the security and stability that everyone wants to achieve.

The ministry appealed to all political forces to carry out their national responsibilities in finding effective solutions to the current crisis.

The spokesman reiterated that the ministry is focused on maintaining security and safety for all citizens, adding that it distances itself from the political scene.

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