Muhammad Al-Zawahiri, Brother Of Al-Qaeda Leader, At Cairo Demonstration: If France Does Not Withdraw Forces From Mali Immediately, 'There Will Be Dire Consequences'

Following are excerpts from footage of an Egyptian demonstration against French military intervention in Mali, with the participation of Egyptian Salafist Muhammad Al-Zawahiri, brother of Al-Qaeda Leader Ayman Al-Zawahiri. The footage was posted on the Internet on January 18, 2012.

Egyptian Salafist Muhammad Al-Zawahiri: We are here to protest the French aggression against the Muslims. We consider any aggression against Muslims to be aggression against us all. We are required by the shari’a to repel it. France must return to its senses and withdraw [from Mali] immediately, or else there will be dire consequences. Any Arab who collaborates with France is a traitor, who has betrayed the Islamic nation and all its peoples."

Protest leader: "Khaybar, Khaybar, oh Jews…"

Crowds: "Khaybar, Khaybar, oh Jews…"

Protest leader: "Muhammad’s army is here!"

Crowds: "Muhammad’s army is here!"

[...]

Demonstrator: "The French Revolution was conducted for the sake of freedom and human rights. Where are these principles in what France is doing now?

"Whenever there is an attempt to implement the shari’a… The implementation of the shari’a in Mali is an internal demand, and according to international human rights treaties, it is forbidden to intervene in a country’s domestic affairs. We should leave it up to the people of Mali. They will make the decisions in their affairs.

"At the very least, [Egypt] should expel – or threaten to expel – the French ambassador. Ultimately, the Egyptian government is still in its early days, and cannot take such steps, but we Arab peoples – whether in Egypt or elsewhere… The Western world must understand that the rules of the game have changed."