"We do not know for sure who attacked the Mexican tourists": Egypt's Ambassador

Egypt's ambassador to Mexico, Yasser Shaban, said he does not know for sure who attacked a group of Mexican tourists on September 13 because the investigation is ongoing and the Attorney General of his country will announce the results.

In an interview with EL UNIVERSAL, the Egyptian diplomat said that a commission was created to investigate the attack and added that his government committed to pay the travel expenses of the relatives, as well as the costs arising from the wounded and the eight dead.

How would you describe this mistake of Egypt's armed forces in which eight Mexican tourists died?

'I can not assure right now that Egypt's Army, that was carrying out an operation in the area, is responsible for the attack. I do not know for sure because the investigative commission is the one that will provide this information and because the armed forces, along with public security forces, have always cooperated with each other to carry out any operation in the country."

About the letter that Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry sent to the Mexican people comparing the war on terrorism in Egypt with the war on drugs in Mexico, Ambassador Shaban said that Shoukry was misunderstood, because the main purpose of the letter was to express the feelings of Egyptians about the incident, giving as an example what might happen in circumstances that may occur in any other country.

In the interview, Ambassador Shaban described Mexico as “a wonderful nation” where he has lived with his family for two years and feels “welcome”, and wished “a speedy recovery to the wounded”. He also reiterated his condolences to the families of the victims.