Egyptian presidency 'not at odds' with army

Egyptian presidential spokesman Ihab Fahmy on Wednesday ruled out disagreement between the presidency and the military institution. "The presidency holds in high esteem the military institution, as top brass, officers and soldiers, for their indispensable role in protecting the safety of the borders and the national security," Fahmy said in a press briefing here. "The meeting between President Mohammad Morsi and Minister of Defense Lt. -Gen. Abdulfattah El-Sisi yesterday was part of the routine meetings between the president and members of the cabinet," he said The spokesman dismissed as groundless the media speculations about disagreement between the two sides as well as recent rumors that the president survived an assassination bid by poisoning him. He also ruled out intention to change or reshuffle the government of Prime Minister Hisham Qandil. Commenting on the disputes among some political parties, the spokesman said: "The presidency engages in no feud with any political party or national force." As for the recent unrest, he said the president adopts the policy of zero tolerance in dealing with any element who could destabilize the country or put the national unity in jeopardy. "Out of keenness to find a radical approach to addressing the simmering tensions (between Muslims and Copts) the President ordered on Monday, April 9, that the national council for justice and equality be restructured and reactivated," Fahmy went on The spokesman renewed condolences to the families of the victims of the clashes in Al-Khosos village, Qalyubiyah Governorate, and near St. Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral in Abbassia district, east Cairo. He added that the ongoing visit of Prime Minister Hisham Qandil to the State of Qatar aims to strengthen the economic and commercial ties and increase the Qatari investments in Egypt.