EgyptDailyNews - Counselor Mohamed Al-Homsani, spokesman for the Cabinet, said that there are economic burdens and challenges facing the state, stressing that “they cannot be fully borne by non-resident guests of Egypt.”

He added, during statements to the “Manchette” program broadcast on CBC on Thursday evening, that there is a cost that the state actually bears, but the challenges facing Egypt are largely related to the global economic crisis, regional and international conditions, and their impact on the economic conditions in Egypt.

He continued: “Non-resident guests of Egypt should not be held responsible for any economic challenges,” stressing that the state has the ability to overcome these challenges.

He stated that the state has shouldered the burdens placed on it during the past period. As a result of hosting 9 million non-Egyptian residents. He stressed that the Egyptian state will continue its efforts to provide various services, including to Egypt’s non-Egyptian guests, saying: “The state is capable of providing various services, and we will continue to carry out our duty towards the Egyptian citizen, and towards the non-Egyptian guests residing.”

He concluded by stressing that there is a need for coordination with international donors to consider how to cover part of the costs of hosting non-Egyptian residents.

Many Egyptians who have been and are still facing economic difficulties did not take kindly to this statement on social media.