Wednesday, August 07, 2013

Military-Appointed Egyptian President Threatens Opposition in Televised Speech

President urges Egyptians to remain united, promises end to crisis

Ahram Online, Wednesday 7 Aug 2013

In a televised speech on the eve of Eid Fitr, Egypt's interim president said that ongoing attempts to end violence had failed

Egypt’s interim president Adly Mansour said in a televised speech on Wednesday that all diplomatic efforts to end violence and bloodshed in Egypt have failed, referring to negotiations with the Muslim Brotherhood.

“Some think they are able to stop history from moving...or to challenge your will for a deserved promising future. This will never happen,” said Mansour in a televised speech aired on the eve of the Islamic festival of Eid Al-Fitr, which starts on Thursday.

Mansour added that steps toward drafting a new constitution are already being taken as 50 members of the committee tasked with amending the national charter have been chosen and announced on Wednesday.

The 2012 constitution was suspended on 3 July as part of the army-backed roadmap that ousted president Mohamed Morsi.

“We are certain that we will overcome what we’re facing and will move towards a bright and promising future,” Mansour said.

"We need to rise above our interests and to unite over a common goal," he added.

Regarding the diplomatic efforts taken to solve the current dispute between the interim government and the Muslim Brotherhood and their supporters, Mansour reaffirmed that the efforts have not met their goal, in spite of being given full support by the government.

Earlier on Wednesday, Egypt's presidency announced that talks between foreign delegates and the Muslim Brotherhood had failed, adding that the Brotherhood and its allies bear "full responsibility for the failure and what will follow."

“Egypt will always welcome the efforts of these [foreign] parties and values their stance in support of the road map and enhance democratic transition,” he said referring to foreign delegations that recently visited Egypt to facilitate negotiations with the Brotherhood.

A number of foreign officials have visited Cairo for talks in recent weeks, as tensions continue to mount between the new military-backed government and the supporters of ousted president Mohamed Morsi who are demonstrating against what they describe as the “military coup” that ended his presidency.

In his speech, Mansour called on Egyptians to celebrate the Islamic festival of Eid Al-Fitr, assuring them that Egypt will overcome the current crisis.

“For years the [Egyptian] people have faced several challenges and been a target of conspiracies and terrorism yet their determination and courage were never shaken nor their belief in god,” he added.

http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/78580.aspx

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