Pope Tawadros II of Alexandria and Patriarch of Saint Mark Diocese on Tuesday hailed as "strong" relations between Muslims and Christians in Egypt.

In statements before leaving Japan, the pontiff said some evil forces use Islam as a camouflage to spoil relations between Muslims and Christians in the country.

Daesh terrorist group misunderstands the teachings of Islam and resorts to violence and bloodshed in a bid to overthrow Egypt, as it did in Iraq, he noted.

The pope stressed that the terrorist attacks will not affect the determination of policemen and servicemen to eradicate terrorism in Egypt.

Pope Tawadros had left Japan earlier in the day for Australia.

Australia will be the pope's second stop in his tour and his first visit to the country.

There, he will attend the inauguration of new churches and will meet with representatives of the Egyptian community in Australia, as well as Australian officials.

Source : Mena