Egypt’s parliament united in saying that there is no evidence of security deficiency in the events leading to the recent bloodbath in Al-Rawda mosque in Northern Sinai.
MPs reaffirmed their support for the political administration, army and security forces in their war against terrorism.
On that note, army forces continue to cooperate with tribes across the peninsula in their pursuit of the perpetrators.
A total of 305 people were killed and 128 wounded in an attack by militants on the mosque in the Arish region in northern Sinai. No group claimed responsibility for the attack which was carried out during Friday prayers.
"No case can be made on security failure in the Bir al-Abd (the Arish neighborhood in which the mosque is located) attack. We have thousands of mosques throughout the country, and securing all these mosques by army and police forces requires draining capacities for this role, which is what the treacherous terrorist organizations want, “said Parliament speaker Ali Abdel-Aal.
“We cannot talk about a lack of security at a time when army heroes and police officers risk their lives on a daily basis to defend the safety of the homeland and its children,” he added.
“We need to direct our attention towards the national cohesion of Egyptian people,” said Abed-Aal.
“Those cowards who attack safe worshippers during prayer only aim at breaking the spirit of Egyptians after great advances and progress have been scored against terror groups,” he said.
Addressing the perpetrators of such horrendous acts, Abed-Aal said that “history proves that no terrorism was able to defeat an entire nation.”
Abdel-Aal also indicated that he received assurances from acting Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli that the government will do everything possible to help the victims' families get the necessary financial compensation as decided by President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi.
“This is not a moment for sadness, rather it is a moment of action for helping the families of the victims,” said Abdel-Aal, adding that "the government promised that judicial courts will also soon be back to business in the city of Arish, the capital of North Sinai, to help families get all the legal documents necessary to obtain the compensation."
