Several political parties and groups have demanded expediting the return of kidnapped Egyptian Copts in Libya and have also called on Egyptians based in Libya to return to Egypt to avoid potential clashes from foreign militants during Coptic holidays.
Mohamed Anwar al-Sadat, head of the Construction and Development Party, has called on the government, Foreign Ministry and the church to urge Copts to leave Libya with guarantees to facilitate and secure their return in light of the deteriorating security situation.
In a statement on Sunday, Sadat also called on the Interior Ministry to take strict measures to secure churches, monasteries, tourist destinations, high roads and the entrances to governorates.
Meanwhile, the April 6 movement blamed the government for the abduction of Egyptians in Libya, considering them to be victims of a government-created political conflict.
In another statement on Sunday, the movement said that the Egyptian administration did not take necessary measures to provide citizens with a good livelihood, which made them immigrate. However, the Egyptian government's policies also make citizens abroad targets in clashes.
Sherif Hammouda, the secretary general of the Conservative Party, also urged state authorities to intervene and return kidnapped Egyptian Copts.
Hammouda urged, in a statement on Monday, that swift measures should be taken to protect Egyptians in Libya, in light of extremist groups that target Egyptians.
Tareq Mahmoud, the secretary general of the Coalition to Support Tahya Masr (Long Live Egypt) fund, also warned against targeting Egyptians in Libya, saying it has become a shelter for all extremist groups worldwide like the Islamic State, Ansar al-Sharia and Fagr al-Islam. He also added that Libya now threatens the national security of neighboring countries including Egypt.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
