Sheikh 'Alā Saddīq, Secretary of Construction and Development Party in Suhag the political wing of Al-Jamā'ah al-Islāmīyah (Egyptian Sunni Islamist group), claimed that electronic newspapers which reported the besieging of Saint George’s (Mār Jirjis) Church, breaking crosses in Banawīt village and the raising of al-Qaeda's (al-qā'idah) flag were untruthful.  He said that these newspapers are 'pro-coup' and are calling for sectarian fitnah.  He added that a flag had not been raised and the church had not been approached; claiming that the 'National Alliance in Support of Legitimacy' (peaceful pro-Mursī movement) had formed a committee which encircled the churches and public facilities throughout the governorate whilst marches passed by in order to protect them (Sayyid el-Ghūl, al-Masrīyūn, Aug. 4). Read original text in Arabic.

Flynne Rushton, Intern