Egypt is relentlessly fighting terror: President's envoy to La Francophonie

PARIS - 11 July 2017: Egypt is relentlessly fighting a war against terrorism to maintain the security of its people and defend the principles of moderation, openness and pluralism, the personal envoy of the president to the International Organization of La Francophonie said on Tuesday.

Ambassador Fatma Al Zahraa Etman made the comments at a meeting of the Permanent Council of La Francophonie, which was held in the French capital, Paris.

She pointed out to a terrorist attack on military checkpoints in the south of Rafah in North Sinai last week and another attack on a bus carrying Christians in Minya on May 26.

Terrorist organizations are acting to expand the scope of attacks through following a despicable strategy targeting Christians, the army and police, Etman said.

She warned of plots woven by those terrorist groups that are based on hatred and rejection of the Other, with the aim of fomenting sectarian tensions between Muslims and Christians.

She asserted that the Egyptian state does not solely depend on its security apparatus to fight terrorism, but it also launched an Al Azhar-led campaign to counter extremism.

The diplomat referred to Egypt’s call in May 2016, while presiding the UN Security Council, for the international community to mobilize efforts and take necessary measures to face extremist ideologies which incite terrorism and violence.