Archbishop of Sinai Damianos has called on Egyptian police to remove dissident monks who were expelled from Saint Catherine’s Monastery on Tuesday but remain outside the gates, attempting to re-enter. The situation remains tense and unresolved.

According to the archbishop’s associates, Damianos is inside the monastery while the insurgent monks are trying to break in, issuing threats against his life and hinting at potential legal action.

Egyptian police, who in recent hours have not responded to requests for assistance, are stationed near the monastery but have so far not intervened to stop the rebels.

Sources said that, conversely, there have been suggestions that the insurgents be allowed back inside.

The monks who turned against Damianos have been outside the monastery since Tuesday afternoon. The archbishop himself visited the monastery on Tuesday, where he once again faced intransigence from the dissidents.

The remaining monks managed to keep the rebels at bay, but unrest continues.

Source: Ekathimerini.com