(Photo by: Hassan Ibrahim)
The Salafi Al-Nour Party has temporarily suspended its spokesman, Nader Bakkar, from dealing with the media.
Bakkar was suspended after making controversial statements regarding last Friday’s demonstrations in support of the armed forces and the police. On Saturday, party chairman Younes Makhioun said Bakkar was mistaken to describe the Friday protests in a positive light.
Bakkar submitted his resignation as party spokesman following the controversy, said Mohamed Ibrahim Mansour, member of the party’s presidential team. Mansour said the party turned down Bakkar’s resignation, but decided to temporarily restrict him from interacting with the media.
“Bakkar welcomed the party’s decision,” said Sayed Khalifa, party deputy chairman. “He remains deputy chairman for media affairs.”
Mohamed Al-Azab, the former Al-Nour representative in the now dissolved Shura Council, said Bakkar made personal statements regarding the Friday demonstrations, which did not comply with the party’s position.
“Bakkar was blamed for failing to clarify that what he said represented his personal stance and not that of the party,” Al-Azab said.
On Friday millions took to the streets, obeying Minister Abdul Fatah Al-Sisi’s call to protest against “violence and terror”. Earlier last week Al-Nour issued a statement expressing its concern regarding possible clashes and bloodshed on Friday and urging all protesters to remain peaceful.
