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1st LD Writethru: UN chief slams terrorist attacks in Egypt

Xinhua, April 9, 2017 Adjust font size:

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Sunday condemned attacks on two Coptic churches in Egypt, and voiced his hope that "the perpetrators of this horrific terrorist act will be swiftly identified and brought to justice."

The deadly blasts at two churches in northern Egypt left at least 43 dead and over 130 injured, according to local media.

"The secretary-general expresses his deep sympathies to the families of the victims and to the Government and people of the Arab Republic of Egypt," said a statement issued here by the spokesman of the secretary-general.

"He wishes a quick recovery to those injured and hopes that the perpetrators of this horrific terrorist act will be swiftly identified and brought to justice," the statement said.

The attacks occurred as Christians faithfully observed Palm Sunday, an important feast that falls on the Sunday before Easter.

Coptic Christians make up about 10 percent of Egypt's population. They have largely coexisted peacefully with the majority-Muslim public for centuries. Endit