The ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) on Tuesday said it will not allow anyone to "hijack power.” Revolution youth, meanwhile, have called for the removal of Prime Minister Essam Sharaf and the appointment of presidential hopeful Mohamed ElBaradei to replace him. Assistant Defense Minister Mohsen al-Fangary, a member of the ruling SCAF, said necessary procedures will be adopted to prevent any threats to the nation, in accordance with the law. In a statement aired on Egyptian Television, Fangary said the SCAF will not give up its role of managing the country's affairs at this critical stage of Egypt's history. Fangary said the SCAF is committed to managing the country during the transition period. Parliamentary elections will be conducted, followed by the drafting of a constitution and then the election of a president. Fangary added that non-peaceful protests harm citizens' interests and hamper the operation of state institutions, which causes serious damages to the state's interests. The expression of free opinion is a right guaranteed for all within limits of the law, he said. The SCAF will continue to support Prime Minister Essam Sharaf, he added. A bill of principles will be prepared to help choose a panel to write a new constitution for the country. These principles will be issued as part of a constitutional declaration after all powers and parties approve them, said Fangary. The 25 January Revolutionary Youth Coalition, meanwhile, said on Tuesday it has agreed with most coalitions and youth movements in Tahrir on Mohamed ElBaradei as a replacement for Sharaf. Daily newspaper Al-Shorouk reported that, following prolonged negotiations with revolution youth, ElBaradei agreed to be nominated in replacement of Sharaf. The protesters will announce this step in a press conference to be held at 3 pm on Tuesday. Egyptian media professionals on Sunday called for the formation of a civilian presidential council to run the country's affairs during the current interim period. In a statement, the Maspiro Revolutionaries movement criticized SCAF and accused it of creating the illusion that it was protecting the revolution. "After closely following the events of the Egyptian revolution for more than six months, we feel the gravity of the crime we committed when, after carrying out our revolution, we handed over its leadership to those who keep us under the illusion that they're protecting it," the statement said.
