lawmaker: Egypt facing big challenges

Egyptian lawmaker Farag Amer underlined on Thursday the importance of resorting to dialogue to settle all problems facing Egypt in light of the big challenges threatening the country.

"We are involved one way or another in finding a solution to the current crisis between the Syndicate of Journalists and Interior Ministry given our membership in the parliament's culture, Information and Antiquities Committee," he said in statements.

He said he believed that the country's higher interest should be considered while settling this crisis.

"After all, we are all Egyptians and we are in no need of any crises that block our progress march," he said.

A crisis between the syndicate and the ministry flared up Sunday night when policemen stormed the headquarters of the syndicate downtown Cairo to arrest two journalists identified as Yanair Gate’s editor-in-chief Amr Badr and journalist Mahmoud Al Saqa.

The syndicate held a general assembly meeting, condemning the storming and asking for sacking of the interior minister, an apology from the government and the presidency and a release of the two journalists. 

The protesting journalists threatened to stage a strike in case their demands were not met.

ٍSource: MENA