Jakarta, NU Online
The Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI) has called on the government to recall its Ambassador to Egypt, Nurfaizi Suwandi, as a form of protest for the violence against demonstrators in that country.<>

"President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono`s statements will hold more meaning if the Indonesian ambassador is recalled from Cairo," said MUI Chairman Slamet Effendy, when contacted here on Friday as quoted by Antara news agency.

Slamet stated that the political uncertainty in Egypt was likely to continue for some time, because of the military's repressive action against the opposition.

Indonesia, he continued, should take a firmer stand against the violence in Egypt by stepping up efforts to support peace and bring democracy back to the country.

Slamet said the Indonesian government should also call on the United Nations to press General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to hand back power to the government.

"President Yudhoyono also needs to convene a meeting among members of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and discuss ways to urge Egypt to resume its democratic process," he added.

Earlier, President Yudhoyono had pointed out that the use of force against demonstrators in Egypt was contrary to the values of democracy and humanity.

The Indonesian head of state, on his Twitter account, @SBYudhoyono, also called for an immediate end to the use of force against demonstrators in Egypt.

"Excessive use of force and weapons to disperse demonstrators in Egypt is against humanity and democratic values, due to which it must end immediately," Yudhoyono said.

Meanwhile, Religious Affairs Minister Suryadharma Ali said his ministry was committed to ensuring the safety of Indonesians in Egypt and, therefore, monitoring the developments in that country closely.

"We are keeping a close watch on the latest happenings there and are prepared to repatriate our citizens for their safety in case the situation there deteriorates," he stated here on Friday.

On August 14 this year, a deadly clash between supporters of ousted Egyptian president Mohamed Moursi and those of the new government installed by the military through a coup d`etat erupted in the Egyptian capital of Cairo.

The clash started when the police started breaking up the camps of people holding demonstrations in support of toppled president Mohamed Moursi.

According to government figures, a total of 525 people were killed during the clash.

Minister Suryadharma Ali urged Indonesian students in Cairo to keep away from risky places to ensure their safety.

"Once peace is restored in Egypt, the Religious Affairs Ministry will send the students back to their respective campuses," said he added.

Editing by Sudarto Murtaufiq