Egypt's military chief of staff on Sunday denied any deals between the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) and Islamist groups. During a meeting with Egyptian intelligence officials, Chief of Staff Samy Anan stressed that the military council keeps all political groups at an equal distance. Press reports had said the military council struck a deal with the Muslim Brotherhood, Egypt's most organized political group, in which the Brotherhood would secure gains in the upcoming parliamentary elections in return for supporting the SCAF. Anan reiterated that the council will hand over power to a civilian authority elected through fair elections, and its hope that it will not stay in power for long. He said that the schedule agreed upon involves holding legislative elections as scheduled, drafting a new constitution, and electing a president. Anan also denied disagreement with interim Prime Minister Essam Sharaf, saying it is in the council's interest that the government fulfills its mission as scheduled. He said that the SCAF gave Sharaf all the authority needed to form a cabinet and select governors. He rejected reports implicating the armed forces in torturing detainees, and denied that anyone was in army custody. He asked for proof of such claims and said military tribunals are only for defendants charged with thuggery. Anan asked people to stop protesting, impeding traffic and hindering work at government agencies, warning that such behavior will create more social and economic unrest. He accused some media outlets of fueling sedition and destabilizing Egyptian society. Translated from the Arabic Edition
