"We continue to monitor the latest developments there and be ready to repatriate our citizens to safeguard them if conditions there are getting worse," Religious Affairs Minister Suryadharma Ali said.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Ministry of Religious Affairs is keeping abreast of latest developments in Egypt to ensure the safety of Indonesians staying in that country, a cabinet minister said.

"We continue to monitor the latest developments there and be ready to repatriate our citizens to safeguard them if conditions there are getting worse," Religious Affairs Minister Suryadharma Ali said here on Friday.

A bloody clash took place in Cairo, Egypt, on Wednesday, August 14, 2013 between supporters of ousted Egyptian president Mohamed Moursi and supporters of the new government which was installed by the military through a coup d`etat.

The clash began when the police were moving to clean up camps of demonstrators who supported toppled president Mohamed Moursi.

The government said a total of 525 people were killed during the clash.

Religious Affairs Minister Suryadharma Ali called on students staying in Cairo to avoid risky places to maintain their safety.

"If conditions have been restored in Egypt, the Religious Affairs Ministry will return the students to their respective campus," the minister said.

Earlier, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono reminded Indonesian citizens in Egypt to avoid places of clashes and involvement in the conflict of that country.

The use of force against demonstrators in Egypt is contrary to democratic values and humanity, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said on Thursday.

Writing on his Twitter account @SBYudhoyono, the Indonesian head of state added that the use of force against demonstrators in Egypt should end immediately.

"Excessive use of force and weapons to disperse demonstrators in Egypt is against humanity and democratic values, and therefore it must be ended," Yudhoyono said.

According to Yudhoyono, the situation in Egypt was increasingly worrisome as casualties were growing. Indonesia hoped the situation would not worsen, he wrote.

"It is difficult, indeed, but a win-win solution must be sought by stopping all violent acts between the warring parties," President Yudhoyono noted.

The president then called on both civilian and military parties in Egypt to work together for reforms.

"Indonesia also experienced political and security shocks 15 years ago, but it was brought under control because the civilian and military collaborated to bring about reforms," he explained.***4***

Therefore, the president expressed his hope that the violence in Egypt would soon end. (*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2013