Lavrov: Russia Sees Gain in Stable Egypt
by VOA News November 14, 2013
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says his country could gain from a return to stability in Egypt, as he and Russia's defense chief make a landmark visit to Cairo for talks with their Egyptian counterparts.
The meetings Thursday come amid a strain in relations between Egypt and its longtime chief backer, the United States, which last month froze hundreds of millions of dollars in mostly military aid in response to political violence.
Egypt's army ousted democratically elected president Mohamed Morsi in July and launched a crackdown on his supporters that left hundreds of people dead.
The interim government then imposed a state of emergency and nightly curfew to restore control. After three months, those measures were due to be lifted Thursday.
At the same time, the military-backed government is moving ahead with a transition plan that envisions elections for a new president and parliament next year.
Morsi is being held awaiting the January 8 resumption of his trial on charges of inciting murder and violence during clashes outside the presidential palace last December. Ten people were killed, including eight of his supporters.
In a message from prison Wednesday, he said Egypt will not see stability until the coup that drove him from power is reversed and those responsible are held accountable.
'What happened Egypt will not move forward unless the military coup is reversed and those responsible for shedding Egyptians blood are held accountable,' Morsi said in a letter read by one of his lawyers.
He praised his supporters for protesting his July ouster, and he accused Egypt's military leader General Abdel Fattah el-Sissi of treason.
Morsi said those behind his ouster, including the military chief, should be tried.
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