Egypt's interim president emerges from shadows at national dialogue meetings

National dialogue meetings convened by interim President Adly Mansour have been welcomed by some, described as a gathering of yes-men by critics

Egyptian interim President Adly Mansour, known for keeping a low profile, has recently entered the spotlight through national dialogue meetings with political and public figures.
The meetings discussed the transitional roadmap, issued by the army in agreement with a number of political forces after Mohamed Morsi's removal, which plans an amended constitution (to be put to a referendum on 14/15 January) and parliamentary and presidential elections by mid-2014.
As the draft constitution does not clearly mention if parliamentary elections should be held first, Mansour must decide. He must also define the electoral system to be used in the parliamentary poll. Both decisions, Mansour stressed, would be made amid a "national dialogue to serve the interests of the revolution."
After meeting youth figures on Thursday, and prominent public and political figures on Sunday, Mansour is starting to be perceived as more than just a transitional leader.
"I agree with those who believe Mansour has not really been acting as president. However, it is positive that he has recently become more involved in the political scene," said Nader Bakkar, assistant to the head of media affairs at the Salafist Nour Party.
Bakkar, who attended Thursday's meeting with Mansour, praised his patience and ability to control the meeting attended by over 30 people.
"The way he listened to our demands and conducted the meeting showed his management abilities," added Bakkar.
Meanwhile, Free Egyptians Party spokesperson Shehab Wagih said Mansour had been carrying out his role since day one.
"I don't agree with those who believe President Mansour is not playing his role. On the contrary, I believe he has been acting as the interim president since he was appointed," Wagih told Ahram Online.
Holding a national dialogue shows Mansour does not want to monopolise decision-making, Wagih added.
Strong Egypt Party spokesperson Ahmed Imam refused to call the meetings a 'national dialogue' because only groups that support the roadmap were invited.
"He acted like Morsi who only gathered his people and supporters, only inviting those who tell him yes," said Imam, who slammed Thursday's meeting for excluding important groups such as April 6, Revolutionary Socialists and Egyptian Current.
Sunday's meeting discussed amending the roadmap to hold presidential elections before parliamentary polls. It also discussed the electoral system for parliamentary polls.
During the meeting a majority of attendees voted in favour of holding presidential elections first. Meanwhile, 53 voted in favour a mixed system for parliamentary elections, six for party lists and 23 for an individual candidate system.
Imam, however, described the poll as "farcical," given that most of the attendees were allegedly supporters of Mansour.
"In my opinion, this man has never ruled and never will," said Imam, arguing that Mansour's authority comes third after army chief Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi and Prime Minister Hazem El-Beblawi.
Imam described Mansour as merely a follower who “implements already drafted policies.”
He went on to criticise Mansour's comments on El-Sisi during the meeting, in which he urged attendees to disregard a possible presidential bid by the army chief when deciding which poll should take place first.
"It is very strange that a president speaks with political forces about his defence minister running for power, it is unsuitable for his status as head of state,” he added.
Imam said it was an indictment of Mansour, head of the constitutional court, that so many human rights violations had taken place under his rule.
"Massacres took place under Mansour, girls were sentenced under Mansour, students were sentenced to 17 years in jail under Mansour, Mubarak's sons and [Ahmed] Shafiq were acquitted under Mansour," said Imam.
Egyptian Social Democratic Party member Nour Farah suggested on Monday that Mansour should serve as a president for one term in order to put an end to political disputes.
However, the interim president stressed on Sunday that he had no intention of running for president.
Mansour, appointed head of the high constitutional court in May, was sworn in as transitional president after the ouster of Mohamed Morsi on 3 July.
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