Egyptian President el-Sissi speaks publicly for first time about killed woman protester

In this Sunday, Feb. 1, 2015 photo provided by Egypt's state news agency MENA, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, center, speaks during a meeting with top police and army generals, politicians and religious leaders in Cairo, Egypt. El-Sissi spoke publicly for the first time about the recent shooting death of Shaimaa el-Sabbagh during a peaceful protest, offering condolences to her family and all Egyptians "pained" by her death. Activists and witnesses at the rally blame the police for her death. Egypt's top prosecutor has ordered an investigation into the killing. (AP Photo/MENA, Mohammed Samaha) (The Associated Press)

An Egyptian woman holds a red flower during a protest by women over the death of Shaimaa el-Sabbagh, a 32-year-old mother of a small boy, who was killed Jan. 24 while taking part in a peaceful protest, in Cairo, Egypt, Thursday, Jan. 29, 2015. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar) (The Associated Press)

Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi has for the first time spoken publicly about the recent shooting death of a female protester, offering condolences to her family and all Egyptians "pained" by her death.

Shaimaa el-Sabbagh, a 32-year-old mother and activist, was killed 10 days ago while taking part in a peaceful protest in Cairo. Activists and witnesses at the rally blame the police for her death.

Egyptian state media on Monday quoted el-Sissi as saying he views Egyptian men and women as his own children and that el-Sabbagh "is my daughter ... no one should doubt that."

Egypt's top prosecutor has ordered an investigation into the killing and Interior Minister Mohammed Ibrahim, who is in charge of police, said he would personally hand over any force member found to be involved.