Egyptian police mobilized around the Abu Sifine church, in the Imbaba district, in Egypt, on Aug. 14, 2022. (Credit: Khaled Desouki/AFP)
BEIRUT — Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati on Sunday expressed their condolences to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Coptic Orthodox Pope Tawadros II for the victims of a deadly fire at a Cairo church, which left at least 41 dead.
Here's what we know:
• In his letters to the Egyptian head of state and the head of the Coptic church, Berri said he learned "with great sadness of the painful tragedy" and offered Sisi and the families of the victims his condolences "on behalf of the Lebanese people, in their own name and in that of Parliament." He wishes a speedy recovery to the injured and wished Egypt "security and stability."
• For his part, Mikati sent messages of condolence to Sisi and the Coptic dignitary and called Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly on the phone.
• The fire broke out in the Abu Sifine church — named after the holy Mercury of Caesarea, revered by the Copts — in the popular district of Imbaba, following a short circuit in the middle of a mass.