Iran’s Khamenei wary of civil war in Egypt

Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. AP FILE PHOTO

TEHRAN – Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned on Friday that the political crisis in Egypt after the army ousted Islamist president Mohamed Morsi could spark a civil war.

“We are worried about what is happening in Egypt,” he said in Eid al-Fitr remarks broadcast on state television.

“Speculation of a civil war is gaining momentum on a daily basis,” Khamenei said. “This would be a disaster with dire consequences.”

“What will stop the civil war if, God forbid, it happens?” he asked.

Khamenei’s comments came a day after Egypt’s interim presidency said Western and Arab initiatives to resolve its political deadlock had failed.

More than 250 people have been killed since the ouster of President Mohamed Morsi by the military on July 3, a coup which the Islamic republic condemned.

Khamenei also warned against foreign interference in Egypt, saying: “Nothing but damage for the Egyptian people will come from the interference of foreign powers.”

Iran’s supreme leader strongly condemned political violence in Egypt, and called on its religious and political parties to learn from the lessons of Syria.