Egypt’s interim premier says security a priority

CAIRO: Egypt’s interim prime minister said Saturday his government is putting priority on increasing security to restore peace and improve the country’s economy after new unrest following the coup that toppled the country’s president.
Hazem El-Beblawi also told reporters that a clear political process is needed to reassure the country’s international allies concerned about Egypt’s continued instability.
El-Beblawi said he lamented the violence but promised that the government was determined to deal firmly with any attempts to create chaos.
“We are sorry for the number of injured, ... we all feel it is a great loss,” he said. “But if the price is that people don’t feel secure... we won’t accept that.”
El-Beblawi also acknowledged that providing security alone is not enough, saying the country “must go down the political path” to work out its democratic transition and find reconciliation. However, he said no one who used violence would be allowed to participate.
“Those who don’t accept the principles of no use of violence, no religion in politics, no attacks against minorities and no discrimination” should be excluded, El-Beblawi said.
El-Beblawi also dismissed accusations that the release Thursday of jailed autocrat Hosni Mubarak was a return to Egypt’s old political order. He said Mubarak’s release was in accordance with the law.