The head of Journalists’ Syndicate, Galal Aref, confirmed to Al-Arabi that the syndicate would not allow anyone to change it into a battlefield for partisan fights. He said that the syndicate is independent and is keen on defending national causes. He responded to the Minister of Interior, who said that [hosting the press conference] was the mistake of the syndicate; by saying it was a mistake in the procedures taken [in renting the hall where the press conference took place].