Pope Shenouda III, head of the Coptic Orthodox Church, praised the youth of the 25 January Egyptian revolution that “shed their blood for the country” in a statement on Tuesday

The statement praises the youth that have been honoured by the country’s military and its people and offered condolences to the families of the young who lost their lives.

The military and the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces were also praised for protecting the country and deciding to dissolve the parliament and Shura council.  

The Church supports a civil democratic Egyptian state with free and fair elections, the statement said.

Egyptian state television had aired footage of Pope Shenouda III, Patriarch of the Coptic Church, announcing his support for President Hosni Mubarak and asking the protesters to end their protests. Shenouda, appointed by Mubarak, has a long history of supporting Mubarak and his regime.