The British ambassador in Cairo on Tuesday apologized to Pope Shenouda III, the head of the Coptic Orthodox Church in Egypt, for the inappropriate way in which he was treated at Heathrow Airport.
Dominic Asquith said in a statement: “We have the highest respect, esteem and affection for Pope Shenouda. There has been no intention at all to offend His Holiness or make him upset. We regret any other impressions that might have resulted.”
Airport security had insisted on searching Pope Shenouda III in defiance to protocol rules.
Asquith said the United Kingdom’s objective remains to make Pope Shenouda III’s future visits comfortable.
He expressed his strong desire to deepen friendship between the British and Egyptian communities and looked forward for cooperation in the interest of both countries.
The envoys apology follows Egyptian Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs statement on Sunday to members of parliament that all British officials will henceforth be thoroughly searched at the airports as Egyptian Pope Shenouda III Alexandria and Patriarch of Saint Mark Episcopate was treated at London’s Heathrow on March 30.
Source African Press Agency
