CAIRO: The Deputy Chief of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) Lt. General Samy Anan said the SCAF is currently discussing handing over power on May 24 if a presidential candidate wins in the first round of presidential elections. This came during the meeting held on Wednesday with a number of heads of parties and independent MPs, in the absence of MPs from the Freedom and Justice Party, Tomorrow's Revolution (Ghad al-Thawra) and Civilization (al-Hadara) parties. Anan added that the SCAF was waiting for the results of the presidential elections. Anan said the armed forces will not use force against demonstrators, adding “we have no plans to use extraordinary measures. He said the SCAF was showered with insults and was blamed for all problems. Anan said the armed forces will never abandon their responsibilities to defend the homeland and its issues, according to a report released to Bikyamasr.com by Egypt's State Information Service. “We will not allow the defense ministry to be brought down,” he said, adding if somebody would like to clash with the military establishment. We shall never resort to clash or violence with protesters. He said we are committed to dialogue to reach a common understanding. He called on protesters to move to Tahrir Square so as not to disrupt life in the vicinity of the Ministry of Defense.
