Egypt: Mursi Names Coptic Christian And Woman As Deputies

Today, Egypt’s newly elected president, Mohammed Mursi, met with Bishop Pakhomius, interim Pope of the Coptic Church, Mena news agency reports.

All Egyptians are equal, Mursi said, claiming he would not accept anyone making Coptic citizens feel as though “they were being done a favour.”

Mursi said he would always be willing to help Copts and that there was no need for anyone to urge him to look after them. “The President has shown his love towards the people and we hope that his ascent to the presidency will bring a message of hope and peace to the people,” Pakhomius stated, stressing that the country is currently in need of peace and calm. To which Mursi responded: “We are all children of our country and we will work together to build Egypt.”

Meanwhile, Mursi’s spokesman, Sameh el Essawy told The Guardian newspaper that the Egyptian president could choose a Coptic Christian and a woman as his deputies. They would be his first appointments.

Mursi’s spokesman also stated that the two nominations have not yet been made official but once they are, it will be the first time in Egypt’s history that a woman or a Coptic Christian are assigned such a high profile role.