Saudi Arabia’s Council of Ministers yesterday called upon different political groups in Egypt to shun violence and work together for the development of the country, upholding the values of justice and tolerance.
The Cabinet, chaired by Crown Prince Salman, deputy premier and minister of defense, congratulated Egypt’s interim President Adly Mansour while praying to the Almighty to protect Egypt from evil and sedition.
“The present situation in Egypt demands from all wise and thinking people to maintain the country’s security and stability, especially at this time when the Islamic nation welcomes Ramadan,” the Cabinet said.
Officials and witnesses in Cairo earlier said Egyptian soldiers and police clashed with supporters of Muhammad Mursi, leaving at least 51 protesters and three members of the security forces dead.
The carnage outside the Republican Guard building in Cairo marked the single biggest death toll since massive protests forced Mursi’s government from power and brought in an interim civilian administration.
According to The Associated Press, the military said it came under a heavy assault first by gunmen who killed an army officer and two policemen. More than 400 were wounded in the mayhem.
Fresh violence plunged Egypt deeper into crisis with calls by the Muslim Brotherhood’s political party for all-out rebellion against the army.
Interim President Adly Mansour expressed sorrow over the deaths in Cairo and urged restraint.
Mansour said he had ordered an investigation into the deaths.
Egypt’s top Muslim religious leader warned of “civil war” and said he was going into seclusion as a show of protest to both sides until the violence ends.
Sheikh Ahmed El-Tayeb, head of Al-Azhar Mosque, said he had “no choice” but to seclude himself at home “until everyone shoulders his responsibility to stop the bloodshed instead of dragging the country into civil war.”
