The Egyptian president's office has denounced as "false news" and article published on the website of newspaper Al-Shorouk claiming that President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi met with senior security officials on Wednesday evening.
In a statement on Thursday, the president's office described the story as baseless, saying, "The newspaper should have verified the story before publishing it, taking into account the rules and ethics of the profession of journalism."
The statement called on media outlets to rely on official sources and to ensure the authenticity of news related to the institution of the presidency before publication.
Al-Shorouk news website quoted informed sources as saying that Sisi expressed his anger at allowing demonstrations on Friday to get out of hand. Protesters had taken to the streets in isolated pockets to show their opposition to the handing over of two Red Sea islands, Tiran and Sanafir, to Saudi Arabian control.
According to Al-Shorouk's article, Sisi told senior security officials that he would not accept a repetition of the situation on Monday, April 25, which is a public holiday in honor of Sinai Liberation Day.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
