FM Spokesman: Egypt Events Do Not Mean Failure Of Islamic Awakening

Tehran, July 7, IRNA – Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Araqchi said the recent developments in Egypt which led to collapse of its president Muhammad Morsi should not be interpreted as the failure of Islamic awakening movement or Islamic tendencies. In an exclusive interview with IRNA, he also said that the street democracy is not a favorable form of democracy. Commenting on the views offered by certain experts who believe there is a backward movement going on in Egypt, he said it is still too soon to judge since the atmosphere in the country is still so complicated and blurred. He explained that Egypt is currently faced with two issues, one is public demands which should be responded and the other is inefficiency of the Morsi government the signs of which were clearly visible in its foreign relations. He further stressed that it is not an appropriate way for military forces in a country to intervene in political affairs and topple a government which had gained power through victory in election. Araqchi noted that it was not an appropriate way to change presidents through everyday street demonstrations, adding that this shows there exists a fault which should be corrected. He reiterated that the developments in Egypt have many dimensions, regretting that foreign intervention in the country has been witnessed. The Islamic Republic of Iran is seriously following Egyptian developments, he added. The FM spokesman said Iran insists on the need to observe the demands of the Egyptian nation through legal routes. Noting that Egypt is the standard bearer of political developments in the Arab world which also plays a significant role in the Islamic awakening trend, he emphasized that the territorial integrity, solidarity, peace and stability of Egypt, as one of the most important countries in the Islamic world, are of prime significance for Iran./end