CAIRO: In a statement to Egyptian terrestrial TV Monday, Gamal Mubarak, head of the policies secretariat in the ruling National Democratic Party, said that attacks on Egyptian fans by Algerians in Khartoum following the World Cup qualifier will have grave consequences.
“Anyone who thinks that this will just pass is gravely mistaken, said Mubarak, son of President Hosni Mubarak. “They will also suffer the consequences of Egypt’s wrath. Egypt is a major power that should not be taken lightly. It is great by its government, by its diverse society and by the influence of that society in the region and the world.
He added that the Egyptian people will “get their own back and that anyone who planned, facilitated or provoked acts of aggression against Egyptian fans in Khartoum would be wrong to think that it will be dealt with as a slight incident following a football match.
“They should know that they have made a big mistake against a big country and so will suffer the aftermath of Egypt’s anger, not just that of the state, but of society as a whole, he said.
Mubarak said that Egypt’s government and its various institutions, whether or not they are sports-related, including culture, media and civil society, have already begun coordinating a joint response which will go beyond a mere expression of anger.
Gamal Mubarak’s statements follow rare interjections by his businessman and older brother Alaa, who openly called for a tough stand amid the diplomatic row between Egypt and Algeria over the Khartoum attacks.
Calling in to popular talks shows both on local and satellite TV, Alaa said that the tensions reveal Algeria’s “grudge and ill-will toward Egypt, describing the attacks as a form of “terror, hostility.
“It is impossible that we as Egyptians take this, we have to stand up and say ‘enough’, said Alaa, who had traveled to Khartoum for Wednesday’s game. “There should be a stance, we have had enough.
“When you insult my dignity … I will beat you on the head, he added.
Also on Monday the Ministry of Information released a statement saying that “the assaults have reflected that there has been an Algerian determination and persistence on practicing the severest kinds of violence and barbarism against the Egyptian fans . irrespective of the results of the game, paying no attention or consideration to the Sudanese security which dealt with the issue with impartiality worthy of thanking.
“It is worth mentioning that Algeria has taken clear hostile stances before the match in addition to attacking the Egyptian interests in Algeria, including cutting the transmission of Egyptian drama on Algerian TV and boycotting Egyptian movies, the statement added.
Egyptians who had flown to Sudan to attend the WC decider between Egypt and Algeria on Wednesday – which the latter won by one goal – were attacked by Algerian fans after the match.
Egyptians complained that the buses transferring them to the airport were pelted with rocks, their windows smashed and that Algerian fans chased them down the streets of Khartoum wielding knives and machetes.
Egyptian interests in Algeria have also been targeted causing massive damage worth $5 million to mobile operator Orascom Telecom and EgyptAir offices.
No Algerian officials have openly condemned the attacks, which has led many to speculate that they were orchestrated and preplanned in retaliation for the stone-throwing attack on the Algerian football team’s bus when it arrived in Cairo on Saturday Nov. 14 for the first match against Egypt.
Angered by news of the Khatoum assaults, hundreds of Egyptians attempted to attack the Algerian embassy, but were stopped by riot police. During the scuffle, several shop windows were broken and cars set on fire in Zamalek.
On a related note, according to egynews.net, Egyptian Prosecutor General Abdel Meguid Mahmoud has launched an investigation into complaints against former goal keeper and current sports show host Ahmed Shobeir, as well as two Algerian ministers and four Algerian editors-in-chief accusing them of profiting financially through writings and statements that violate civil rights and disrupt social peace. -Daily News Egypt.
