PRESS RELEASE
For immediate use
2 Jan 2013
The Coptic Orthodox Church UK
Media and Public Relations Office
Funerals for two men killed in an explosion at a Coptic Orthodox Church building in Libya have been held on 2 January 2013.
40 year old Wagdi Malak Hanna from the province of Al Minya and 26 year old Ashraf Samy Adly from the province of Alexandria were killed after an explosion at a Coptic Orthodox Church building in Libya on Saturday 29 December 2012. No one has claimed responsibility for the attack to date.
The following was said in a statement released by His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, 118th Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of All Africa on the holy Apostolic See of Saint Mark:
‘We condemn in the strongest possible terms these terrorist acts that target houses of worship and we appeal to the peoples of the world and their governments to fight such terrorism…religions are founded on love and peace and forbid aggression against innocent people.’
His Grace Bishop Angaelos, General Bishop of The Coptic Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom said:
‘The Coptic Orthodox Church has been in Libya for over twenty years, and it is sad that this has happened now, especially at this time of celebration. We hope that it is not a sign of things to come, and pray for peace in Libya, Egypt and throughout the Middle East, the birthplace of Christ.’
According to Associated Press, the Egyptian Foreign Minister Mohammed Kamel Amr said:
‘Egypt is requesting an investigation into the circumstances of the operation and for those responsible to be put on trial’
*ENDS*
