CAIRO — Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has warned against attempts to “destroy Egypt” following recent rare anti-government protests. 

Speaking at the Sept. 27 inauguration of an oil refining complex in the Mostorod region of the Qalyubia governorate, Sisi said there are individuals exploiting the poverty and financial difficulties that citizens are suffering to convince them that they are enduring unfair treatment, and to question the achievements of the state. 

Sisi tried to convince Egyptians that chaos and instability resulting from demonstrations would impede development and prosperity in society. He blamed the pause in development projects on the January 25 Revolution, and said, “There are projects that have stopped and collapsed as a result of the events of 2011 and the state of instability.”

Sisi’s attempts to calm public opinion came after Egypt witnessed a wave of demonstrations as Egyptians took to the streets of several villages and cities starting Sept. 20 to demand better living conditions in response to a call launched Sept. 5 by the fugitive Mohamed Ali, a construction contractor residing in Spain.