President Mohamed Morsy condemned on Thursday the amateur film which many see as offensive to Prophet Mohamed and Islam and which is prompting protests across the region. Morsy called the Prophet a red line that should not be crossed.
We reject any kind of abuse of our Prophet, for whose sake we all sacrifice our souls and our hearts, Morsy said in a statement broadcast on state TV's Channel 1 Thursday morning.
"We do not accept and we consider an enemy anyone who assaults our Prophet through words or deeds," he said. "I represent all the Egyptian people, I deprecate and I stand against whoever tries to abuse or exercise abuse of any kind against our Prophet or any of the Islamic holy sites."
Morsy said he supported peaceful protest but not attacks on embassies, after Egyptians angry at a film made in the US and deemed insulting to the Prophet Mohamed climbed the walls of the US Embassy in Cairo and tore down the American flag.
"Expressing opinion, freedom to protest and announcing positions are guaranteed but without assaulting private or public property, diplomatic missions or embassies," Morsy said.
He pledged to protect foreigners in Egypt.
Morsy said, in a joint press conference with the European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, in Brussels, commenting on the events: "We do not agree with aggression against embassies, consulates or individuals."
US President Barack Obama called Morsy Wednesday evening to discuss the security situation at the Cairo embassy following the violent attack on the US Consulate in Benghazi, Libya, the White House said on Thursday.
Obama rejected attempts to discredit Islam during the phone call with Morsy and called on him to protect American diplomats, said the White House.
"Obama called Morsy to discuss the strategic partnership between Egypt and the US," the White House added in a statement.
The statement added that Morsy emphasized Egypt was committed to cooperation with the US to ensure the safety of embassy staff.
