Arab nations show solidarity with Egypt after Minya attack

CAIRO – 28 May 2017: Several Arab heads of state expressed solidarity with Egypt in the wake of the terrorist attack that hit Minya governorate, leaving 29 Christians dead and 24 others wounded.

President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi received Saturday a phone call from Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, who extended his condolences to families of the victims who lost their lives in Minya terrorist incident.

King Hamad denounced the terrorist attack, expressing Manama's solidarity with Egypt in combating terrorism and confronting all forms of violence and extremism.

President Sisi thanked the Bahraini King and pointed to the strategic and historic ties binding the two countries.

Sisi also underscored the importance of promoting inter-Arab solidarity to confront challenges that face the Arab region, topped by terrorism.

In the same regard, President Sisi received another phone call Friday from Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, during which King Salman strongly condemned the terrorist attack that hit the Upper Egyptian governorate.

The Saudi King expressed his condolences to the victims' families and emphasized Saudi solidarity with Egypt and its people in order to stand up to those who attempt to undermine its security and stability.

President Sisi expressed thanks to King Salman, reiterating that Cairo-Riyadh relations are strong.

The Egyptian leader further stressed that terrorism has become a danger and a threat to the Arab national security, highlighting the importance of the Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology that was inaugurated last week in Riyadh.

Meanwhile, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas decried the attack, affirming his support to Egypt in its fight against terrorism.

The terrorist attacks will not destabilize Egypt’s efforts in countering terrorism by any means, Abbas said in a statement.

Also, the UAE Foreign Ministry expressed solidarity with Egypt and its people against extremism and terrorism, describing the attack as a malignant act.

The Iraqi Foreign Ministry said that Baghdad "stands with the Egyptian people and their government against all extremist and terrorist groups that target the unity of this honorable people."

On Friday morning, unidentified gunmen opened fire at a bus carrying more than 50 Christians on the desert road between Minya and Beni Suef. Islamic State (IS) terrorist group claimed responsibility for the attack.