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Morsi's deposition 'a step in the right direction'

The Egyptian Ambassador to Australia has called the ousting of President Mohamed Morsi a move in the right direction, but also won't categorise it as a coup.

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Egyptian Ambassador to Australia Hassan El-Laithy has called the ousting of President Mohamed Morsi a move in the right direction, but also won't categorise it as a coup.

In Egypt, the Australian Embassy remains open, but the government is asking Australians there to consider leaving.

“I think the term coup is not applicable here what so ever. According to my understanding, a coup will start by the military but if you see tens of millions going to the streets and asking for a change democratically...."

"Peacefully and democratically they would like to see their country moving forward, they don't want to see security threats or economical threats escalating, which has been the case. They have realised that their government is not delivering according to their aspirations and their needs. So that's why they went to the streets. So a coup is not the right term," Mr El-Laithy told SBS.

“Democratic transformation needs to be continued and this is the will of the people and of course stability, security and economic progress working together internally. Egyptians working together for the sake of Egypt so national reconciliation is needed and needs to be used to be part of the recreation".

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FULL INTERVIEW WITH EGYPTIAN AMBASSADOR HASSAN EL-LAITHY

Egyptian Australians are divided over what happened in Egypt, but most Morsi supporters won't appear on camera.

A young Coptic Christian in Sydney is pleased that Morsi has been ousted.

"I am glad they stepped in but now I just hope that what they've said is true and that the people who did come together in that meeting yesterday push for early elections, proper and fair elections and a well-grounded constitution," she told SBS.

"I hope, I really hope, this is the last time we need to see mass demonstrations to fix Egypt," she added.

This view is shared by a filmmaker who has documented events in his home country.

"I think the revolution is ongoing. I think when Mubarak left people thought it was the end of it, but in fact it was the beginning," said Akmal Saleh.

WATCH THE INTERVIEW WITH AKMAL SALEH


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Source: SBS



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