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British ambassador in Cairo regrets assault on Egyptian Imam

CAIRO, Aug 15 (KUNA) -- Her Majesty's Ambassador to Egypt Sir Derek Plumbly voiced Wednesday shock at "the regretful assault" on an Egyptian Imam inside a London mosque.
Sheikh Mohammad Al-Salamoni, a 58-year-old cleric, was moved to Western Eye Hospital, central London, Friday evening in a serious condition after being attacked barbarously inside the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB), an umbrella group of various Islamic organizations, in Hammersmith district, west London.
He suffered heavy blood loss and damage to both eyes.
London's Metropolitan Police arrested Ryan Donegan, 40 years, Sunday under charge of perpetrating the attack.
Plumbly asserted the UK law enforcement services were investigating the incident and remanded Donegan in custody till August 24.
The MCB and the imams, delegated by Al-Azhar, play a positive role in the British life, the embassy quoted Plumbly as saying in a statement.
The ambassador phoned Secretary of Al-Azhar Sheikh Umar Al-Deeb to express sympathy with Al-Salamony and his family, according to the statement. (end) bna.gb.
KUNA 151856 Aug 07NNNN