Syndicate chief criticises Port Said rumours

President of al-Ashraf Syndicate, Mahmoud el-Sharif, has called for calm in the Egyptian Canal city of Port Said, and described the idea of separating it from Egypt as "illogical." Speaking to reporters, el-Sharif said that any crisis must not impact on the unity of the country, urging different parties to work together for freedom, justice and respect for the law. He praised the residents of Port Said for defending their country against the enemies of Egypt in the past, and stressed that they would continue to do so. El-Sharif said the union would cooperate with the other unions, along with political parties and academic institutions such as al-Azhar University in Cairo. He said that all parties in Egypt must respect the judicial rules and to give priority to interests of the country. Meanwhile, member of the High Council of the syndicate Essam el-Sharif has claimed that the group is working closely with Egypt’s Islamic institutions to confront people affiliated with extremist groups. He urged a moderate approach to confronting the extremist elements in the country, adding that the union would always make sure protection of Egyptian people is first priority.