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PRESS RELEASE& Contact: Christine Tadros

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Phone: +1-202.737.3660 or 1866.3.COPTIC

Egyptian Government Withdraws Troops surrounding Monastery

Washington, D.C. (08/19/03) The U.S. Copts Association received notification today that the Egyptian government has ordered the withdrawal of troops that had earlier surrounded St. Anthonys Monastery, poised to attack and demolish the encompassing fence.

The withdrawal has come as a relief to the monasterys leadership and monks, who stood ready to endure assault in the protection of the monastery. Repeated communication with governmental officials has finally led to the temporary halting of the destruction and the call for a meeting with the monasterys Bishop Yustus and a governmental representative from the Prime Ministers office.

All plans for the demolition of the monasterys enclosure have been suspended pending this meeting later this week. U.S. Copts Association will continue to monitor the situation of St. Anthonys Monastery and report on the latest developments.

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The U.S. Copts Association, founded in 1996 and based in Washington D.C., advocates for democracy, religious freedom, and human rights in Egypt. The Association represents over 700,000 Egyptian Christians in the United States

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