Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Seyyed Abbas Araqchi has expressed concern over the ongoing unrest across Egypt, calling on the Cairo government to respect the legitimate demands of the protesters.
The Iranian official said on Wednesday that the Islamic Republic is closely monitoring the latest developments in Egypt, and is concerned about the prolongation of crisis in the country which has left a number of Egyptians dead and wounded.
He said Iran believes that respect for people's legitimate demands, strengthening of the national unity, negation of violence and vigilance in the face of conspiracies provide the best way out of the current turmoil in the Arab country.
Araqchi further noted that Egyptians can resolve their problems by themselves and defend their national interests.
The political showdown in Egypt has neared its climax as military deadline for President Mohamed Morsi to resolve the North African country’s political crisis has expired.
Supporters and opponents of Morsi staged rival rallies across the capital, Cairo, on Wednesday evening as the Army’s 48-hour deadline for the president to yield to the demands of the demonstrators or face military intervention approached.
string(2223) "[{"id":"1489040","sort":"3046030","contenttypeid":"21","pic":"/2013/06/29/alalam_635080894000547202_25f_4x3.jpg","title":"3 Egyptians, 1 Amercian killed in Egypt unrest"} ,{"id":"1489268","sort":"3046029","contenttypeid":"21","pic":"/2013/06/29/alalam_635081361869184736_25f_4x3.jpg","title":"Egypt MPs resign in anti-Morsi protest"} ,{"id":"1489619","sort":"3046028","contenttypeid":"21","pic":"/2013/06/30/alalam_635082218646299653_25f_4x3.jpg","title":"Egypt police say will back Morsi opponents"} ,{"id":"1489789","sort":"3046027","contenttypeid":"21","pic":"/2013/07/01/alalam_635082707256271458_25f_4x3.jpg","title":"7 killed, 100s hurt in Egypt’s anti-govt. protests"} ,{"id":"1489858","sort":"3046026","contenttypeid":"21","pic":"/2013/07/01/alalam_635082830571967632_25f_4x3.jpg","title":"Egypt opposition sets deadline for Morsi to quit"} ,{"id":"1489993","sort":"3046025","contenttypeid":"21","pic":"/2013/07/01/alalam_635083038132080273_25f_4x3.jpg","title":"Egypt army gives politicians 48-hour ultimatum"} ,{"id":"1490182","sort":"3046024","contenttypeid":"21","pic":"/2013/07/02/alalam_635083540533244365_25f_4x3.jpg","title":"Egypt presidency brushes off army deadline"} ,{"id":"1490292","sort":"3046023","contenttypeid":"21","pic":"/2013/07/02/alalam_635083721464922603_25f_4x3.jpg","title":"Egypt court rejects Morsi’s prosecutor general"} ,{"id":"1490431","sort":"3046022","contenttypeid":"21","pic":"/2013/07/02/alalam_635083984773494830_25f_4x3.jpg","title":"Egypt opposition picks ElBaradei as representative"} ,{"id":"1490646","sort":"3046021","contenttypeid":"21","pic":"/2013/07/03/alalam_635084417801470816_25f_4x3.jpg","title":"Egypt's Morsi defiant as army deadline runs out"} ,{"id":"1490828","sort":"3046020","contenttypeid":"21","pic":"/2013/07/03/alalam_635084695071336635_25f_4x3.jpg","title":"Egypt army chief meets Cmdrs before deadline"} ,{"id":"1490832","sort":"3046019","contenttypeid":"21","pic":"/2013/07/03/alalam_635084696783836520_25f_4x3.jpg","title":"Egypt army takes full control of radio, TV building"} ,{"id":"1490849","sort":"3046018","contenttypeid":"21","pic":"/2013/07/03/alalam_635084718084397249_25f_4x3.jpg","title":"Egypt army draws up roadmap to end protests"} ]"