According to the media spokesperson of the Coptic Catholic Church, Father Rafīq Greish, a mandate had already been given by his institution to al-Sīsī on June 28, lasting until the end of the transitional phase.  Also expressed his hope that everyone, especially those who resorted to violence, return to dialogue and to their homeland to begin a new stage in Egypt’s history.

Rev. Rif’at Fathī, general secretary of the Coptic Evangelical Church, said that al- Sīsī’s speech put the issue of opposing terrorism on the people’s will while at the same time respected the law and constitution. Fathī also denied that Egypt witnessed a military coup, claiming that what the Minister of Defense did is strictly related to the current revolutionary stage, and that it is legitimated (Majdī Fikrī, al-Dustūr, July 26, p. 2). The article has no link online.