Parliament denounces Al-Naba'a newspaper's reports

Bishop You'anes, spokesman of Pope Shenouda, told a mass of Copts on Monday morning at Saint Mark's Cathedral in Abasia district in Cairo: There is no reason to deal with the issue impulsively, especially after the state adopted immediate positive measures to appease the situation, realise social peace and maintain national unity.

The paper's publication was stopped and other security and judicial procedures were taken to prevent the reoccurrence of such practices.

The Bishop described the paper as a sensational yellow press that has been used to publishling scandals and exaggerating matters to cause chaos and instigate public opinion.

A large group of Copts gathered on Monday in front of the cathedral to express their outrage at the reports concerning el-Moharaq Monastery, one of the holiest sites to Christians, which the Holy Family visited during its historical visit to Egypt.

Sorour, on his part, denounced the reports, assuring that the government and court performed their duty by confiscating Sunday's edition and referring the issue to court for investigation.

The court decided to confiscate the paper's edition in which the issue was published and this decision should be respected, he said.

Sorour reaffirmed that the parliament protects public morals and national unity as well as press freedom, that is restricted with respect for public ordersand values.

If the same issue was published again in another edition or paper, the Government will take the same measures adopted before, and will confiscate the paper for the protection of ethics and national unity, he said.