FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
January 24, 2014

Mohamed Tawfik, Egyptian Ambassador to the United States, offered the following statement on the recent attacks in Cairo:

“Today, multiple attacks including a deadly car bombing outside a police station, shook the heart of Cairo, killing and injuring innocent Egyptians. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of these atrocities and their families. The tragedy of the attack is not only the horrific loss of innocent lives, but also the irreversible damage to our history and our identity. As stated by UNESCO, the destruction to the renowned Museum of Islamic Art in Cairo, and its many irreplaceable artifacts, illustrate how such heinous attacks impact our present, future and past.

This is a vain attempt to derail Egypt from its path toward peaceful, pluralistic democracy, but it will only strengthen our resolve and unite the Egyptian people. We will not be deterred from continuing to pursue this path that honors the courage and passion of the millions who took to the streets three years ago with a call for freedom, dignity and social justice for all Egyptians. We look to our allies and partners across the world, including the United States, to stand in solidarity with the people of Egypt as they struggle to fulfill their dream of democracy and prosperity against the backdrop of such heinous and deadly terrorist attacks. Terrorism is a common threat that faces all societies. We must come together in our efforts to confront those who threaten humanity’s basic values.

The democratic transformation underway in Egypt was sparked by the political and economic aspirations of the Egyptian people who took to the streets on January 25, 2011. Nearly three years after this historic event, the interim government is steadfastly advancing Egypt’s democratic journey. The roadmap established last year has already begun to realize all Egyptians’ desire for a responsive, pluralistic political system. With the recent approval of our Constitution, which provides unprecedented guarantees for individual freedoms and gender equality and lays the foundation for a truly inclusive and accountable government, Egypt is on a hopeful path forward.”