Egypt affirms support for Syrian people

Egyptian Foreign Minister Nabil Fahmy on Sunday affirmed Cairo's support for the Syrian people and their aspirations. Egypt has explicitly and robustly condemned the bloodshed in Syria, said Fahmy in a statement after a meeting with Ahmad Al-Jarba, Chairman of the National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces, held at the foreign ministry headquarters. Asked about involvement of some Syrians in local disturbances on side of the Muslim Brotherhood, Fahmy said the discussions with Al-Jarba dealt with conditions in Syria, as well as those in Egypt, indicating embroilment of some individuals "does not represent the whole Syrian people or the coalition." Fahmy indicated it was premature to talk about a full-fledged Egyptian initiative to resolve the Syrian crisis. Egypt still supports political settlement "and we hope this be attained at the Geneva-two meeting or via any other avenue," he added. Al-Jarba indicated he raised the issue of imposing visas on incoming Syrians and that minister assured him that this measure was taken for visitors of various nationalities.