Egypt's current account gap narrows, but overall BoP records deficit    Egypt's PM reviews debt reduction strategy, eyes more private investment    Egypt hosts international neurosurgery conference to drive medical innovation    Egypt, India discuss expanding industrial, investment partnerships    World Bank proposes Egypt join new global health initiative    Egypt's EDA discusses Johnson & Johnson's plans to expand investment in local pharmaceutical sector    I won't trade my identity to please market: Douzi    Sisi sends letter to Nigerian president affirming strategic ties    Egypt welcomes 25-nation statement urging end to Gaza war    Egypt, Senegal sign pharma MoU to unify regulatory standards    Egyptian pound ticks down in early Tuesday trading    Famine kills more Gaza children as Israel tightens siege amid global outrage    Kuwait's Crown Prince, Egyptian minister discuss strengthening cooperation    Egyptian Drug Authority discusses plans for joint pharmaceutical plant in Zambia    Egypt's FM seeks deeper economic, security ties on five-nation West Africa tour    Two militants killed in foiled plot to revive 'Hasm' operations: Interior ministry    Egypt foils terrorist plot, kills two militants linked to Hasm group    Egypt, Somalia discuss closer environmental cooperation    Egypt exports 175K tons of food in one week    Giza Pyramids' interior lighting updated with new LED system    Egypt's EHA, Huawei discuss enhanced digital health    Foreign, housing ministers discuss Egypt's role in African development push    Korea Culture Week in Egypt to blend K-Pop with traditional arts    Egypt, Uruguay eager to expand trade across key sectors    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    Three ancient rock-cut tombs discovered in Aswan    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Egypt's Irrigation Minister urges scientific cooperation to tackle water scarcity    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    Egypt's Democratic Generation Party Evaluates 84 Candidates Ahead of Parliamentary Vote    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Opposition calls on Mubarak to cede power to new vice-president
Published in Almasry Alyoum on 02 - 02 - 2011

A group of independent writers and businessmen called on President Hosni Mubarak to delegate all authority to his deputy and serve as a “ceremonial” leader until his term ends in September, according to a statement issued Wednesday.
During this interim period, Vice-President Omar Soliman must dissolve the incumbent parliament and entrust an independent committee of jurists with laying out the details of all necessary constitutional amendments, said the statement, signed by ten prominent businessmen, writers, legal experts and former diplomats.
“This is a middle-ground compromise,” Amr Hamzawy, an expert at the US-based Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, told Al-Masry Al-Youm. “We wrote this statement because we are concerned that the legitimate demands made by the people might lose momentum. The president has only heeded part of those demands”
The statement comes fast on the heels of several breaking developments. Last night, Mubarak announced he would not run for a sixth presidential term in September, promising two constitutional amendments that would relax eligibility conditions for presidential candidates and limit the number of terms a president can serve. Mubarak did not, however, provide any guarantees for delivering on these pledges.
“We're also afraid that that the opposition demands might be circumvented and eventually Egypt would lose a historic chance for a potential democratic transition,” noted Hamzawy, who has been participating in the ongoing demonstrations.
Besides Hamzawy, the statement was signed by business tycoons Naguib Sawiris and Ibrahim al-Mealem, and by well-respected writers including Salama Ahmed Salama and Amr al-Shobaki, as well as legal expert Ahmed Kamal Abouel Magd.
The signatories have also demanded the formation of a new cabinet that would include independent and popular technocrats to act as the state's executive branch during the transitional period. In an attempt to quell public outrage, Mubarak had earlier sacked the cabinet, but many of his new appointments are unpopular figures.
The group also called for the abrogation of the state of emergency and the prosecution of those responsible for the eruption of chaos that followed the killing of over 100 people in clashes between police and protesters last week. The signatories also praised the “national role” played by the military.
For most experts, the military remains the only state institution that enjoys legitimacy and popularity. They expect the army to be the main negotiator with the opposition in post-Mubarak Egypt.
“Young protesters should be protected wherever they rally in Cairo and in all other provinces until the transition period is over,” added the statement.
However, street protesters seem reluctant to give up their initial demand for the ouster of the 82-year-old president. None of Mubarak's pledges have convinced youth-based groups to end their ongoing protests in downtown Cairo. They have also rejected Mubarak's offer to begin a "national dialogue" with the opposition.
“Any negotiations should begin after Mubarak leaves. This is our main demand,” said Nasser Abdel Hamed, a 28-year-old activist in the pro-Mohamed Elbaradei campaign who has been camping out with tens of thousands of protesters in Tahrir Square for over a week raising banners reading: “Mubarak, get lost!"
The protesters' position might become more adamant in the wake of violent acts perpetrated earlier today against them by Mubarak supporters in Tahrir Square, when thugs stormed the square on camels and horseback hitting protesters with swords and iron chains.
"We are afraid that the intensity of the situation might put national security and people's security at risk," warned Hamzawy.
The statement has been distributed to various media outlets and youth-led opposition groups.


Clic here to read the story from its source.