Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak played down recent clashes between Christians and Muslims Sunday, reassuring followers of the Coptic Church that they were full members of Egyptian society.
"In practice, we are a single people, we must stay bound by ties of affection at all times," Mubarak said in a keynote speech broadcast on state television.
"Christians are not a minority in Egypt, they are Egyptian by origin and birth."
Mubarak played down deadly clashes between Christians and Muslims in the run-up to Coptic Christmas Friday, saying that such unrest "happens all over the world."
Hundreds of Christians staged a sit-in at the main Coptic cathedral last month over reports that a priest's wife had been kidnapped and forced to convert to Islam.
At least 60 police were wounded in ensuing clashes and 34 demonstrators were arrested before later being freed.