White House spokesman jokes about Islamic attacks on Christian churches in Egypt.

White House spokesman jokes about Islamic attacks on 

Christian churches in Egypt.

The DC | 23 Aug 2013 ::  The White House’s deputy press secretary today downplayed Muslim attacks on Christians in Egypt, joking about the savagery  that has left at least six Christians dead.

Press secretary Josh Earnest was asked by Fox News’ correspondent, Ed Henry, if President Barack Obama has a “red line” beyond which he would act against Muslim attacks on Egyptian Christians.

“Well, I didn’t bring my red pen out with me today,” Earnest joked.

After making his joke, Earnest said the administration is “outraged… and concerned” about the Muslim attacks on almost 100 churches, monasteries, orphanages and other marked Christian sites. Many Christians’ shops and homes have also been looted and burned by mobs.

But Earnest didn’t name or criticize the attackers, even though he did charge the military with perpetrating “violence… against peaceful protestors.”

“I can tell you that we have condemned in unambiguous terms all the violence that’s has been perpetrated there in Egypt,” he said.

“We have been concerned and condemned the violence that has been perpetrated by the government against peaceful protestors, and we’re just as outraged and just as concerned about reports that Christian churches have been targeted,” he said.

During the last year, Obama backed the brotherhood-backed elected prime minister, and is now considering whether to strongly push for its return to power.(Courtesy:The DC)

White House: Obama orders ‘all appropriate steps’ over al-Qaeda threat.

White House: Obama orders ‘all appropriate steps’ over al-Qaeda threat.

A White House official said Obama “will continue to
be updated” on the threat. (File photo: Reuters)

Al Arabia | 03 Aug 2013 :: “All appropriate steps” shall be taken to protect Americans in response to a threat of an al-Qaeda attack, ordered President Barack Obama, in a statement reported late on Friday.

A White House official said the president “will continue to be updated on a regular basis” on the threat and related developments

“The president is being updated on a potential threat occurring in or emanating from the Arabian Peninsula,” the official said on condition of anonymity.

The United States had issued a worldwide alert on Friday warning of plans by al-Qaeda to launch an attack in the Middle East or North Africa in August.

It said attacks were possible “particularly in the Middle East and North Africa, and possibly occurring in or emanating from the Arabian Peninsula.”

“The State Department’s newly-released travel alert makes clear that al-Qaeda and affiliated organizations continue to plan terrorist attacks both in the region and beyond,” the official said.(Courtesy:Al Arabia)