Egyptian consultation council head: No religious discrimiation in Egypt

The head of the Egyptian consultation council, Mostafa Kamal Helmi, said that the claims of some western circles concerning discrimination between Egypt's Moslems and Coptics are invalid and have nothing to do with truth.

Helmi also said that there was not any differentiation or discrimination between Moslem or Jew or Christian in Egypt because Egypt's people are one fabric formed by Moslems and Coptics.

Helmi said these claims come within attempts to strike at Egypt, saying that there are external forces attempting to arouse factional tensions between Egypt's people under the claim of human rights.

Meanwhile, the New York Times reported on July 24 that the US Senate suspended work on legislation that would require sanctions against countries that allow or endorse religious persecution. The House of Representatives approved such legislation in May.