3 dead as gunmen open fire on Christian wedding party in CairoOctober 21, 2013 - 11:09 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Three people, including a girl aged eight, died when gunmen on motorcycles opened fire on a wedding party outside a Coptic Christian church in Cairo, BBC News reported. At least nine others were wounded in the attack in Giza, officials said. There was no immediate claim of responsibility. Egypt's Coptic Christian community has been targeted by some Islamists who accuse the Church of backing the army's overthrow of President Mohammed Morsi in July. The unidentified attackers fired indiscriminately as people left the church. A man and a girl were killed outside the church and a woman died on her way to hospital. Coptic priest Thomas Daoud Ibrahim said he was inside the church when the gunfire erupted. "What happened is an insult to Egypt, and it's not only directed against Coptic Christians. We are destroying our own country," he said. Another priest, Beshay Lotfi, told Egyptian media that the church had been left without a police guard since the end of June. The Coptic Orthodox Church is one of Christianity's oldest, founded in Alexandria around 50 AD. Christians make up at least 10% of the population in Egypt, or well over eight million people. When the chief of the army, General Abdul Fattah al-Sisi went on television to announce that President Morsi had been removed from power, Pope Tawadros II appeared alongside him. Pope Tawadros said that the "roadmap" mentioned by the general had been devised by honorable people, who had Egypt's best interests at heart. Some Islamists took this as a sign that the Church had conspired in their leader's overthrow. Pope Tawadros has received death threats, while several Christians have been killed. Christian shops, homes and businesses have also been targeted. Related links: Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |