According to Al Ra’ī newspaper, General ‘Abd al-Fattāh al-Sīsī has stated to the U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel in a phone conversation that the Copts are protected by society and by the security forces. He also stated that they have a strong patriotic sentiment, are aware of the critical moments that the country is going through, and are willing to bear hardships for the sake of their homeland. He also stated that the armed forces have taken upon themselves the responsibility of renovating the churches that have been attacked. He emphasized that Cairo refuses any foreign intervention under the pretext of protecting the Copts and that the Copts themselves refuse that (Author not mentioned, al-Aqbāt-Mutahidūn, Sept. 19). Read original text in Arabic.

[Translator's note: A report of the same content appeared in al-Watan, Sept. 19, p. 1.]