Maher Abbas Saudi Gazette RIYADH — Egyptian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Afeefi Abdul Wahab has denied media reports about the issuance of a press statement by the embassy asking the Egyptian expatriate community in the Kingdom to take part in a referendum on a draft constitution. It was decided earlier to hold a referendum for expatriate Egyptians next Wednesday but Egypt's election committee Friday postponed the start of voting for Egyptians abroad in the wake of a deepening political crisis. He said: “Egypt's embassy in Riyadh or the consulate general in Jeddah has nothing to do with the fabricated statement. “The statement altogether is false and unfounded.” The ambassador was reacting to a press statement purportedly from the embassy posted on some online sites and aired by some channels. The alleged embassy statement urged the Egyptians living in the Kingdom to vote in favor of the new draft constitution. Afeefi urged the media, especially websites, to ensure accuracy of their reports before publishing them. He said: “They should have at least contacted the embassy before circulating such a false report. “The embassy is not responsible for any such online reports.” The ambassador urged the Egyptian expatriate community not to be misled by such false propaganda. “They should only follow the statement issued through the websites of the embassy or the consulate general or through the local Saudi or Egyptian newspapers.” Afeefi emphasized that Egypt's foreign missions, including the Saudi-based embassy, are taking a neutral position and not siding with one party against another back home. He expressed full confidence on the Egyptian expatriate community in the Kingdom and their full awareness about their country and the developments taking place there. “Exercising their franchise or choosing anyone should be based only on their personal will without any coercion or direction by others.”
