CAIRO: Egypt's military institution is working to establish a civil state in Egypt, said a member of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF), General Tarek al-Mahdi. The SCAF was charged with Egypt's administration when Hosni Mubarak resigned from the presidency on February 11 after 18 days of mass protests. Al-Mahdi said preparing the new constitution will be achieved through dialogue and national unity to bridge any gap among citizens. He said the extent of poverty has expanded: over 70 percent of Egyptians live under the poverty line. He said statistics show 40 percent of Egyptians living under poverty line are elderly. Al-Mahdi said the law to regulate building worship places will strengthen equality among citizens. Laws will stress authorizing governors to issue licenses to build churches demanded by Coptic Christians. Al-Mahdi demanded Egyptian citizens not to rush, assuring that execution of all demands will need more time. He said jokingly, "Half of the country is in prisons and the other half is prosecuted." When asked about Egyptian-Israeli relationship, al-Mahdi said the matter is left to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs responsible for such cases. Al-Mahdi discussed this during conference held in the hall of Jesuit of the Catholic Church discussing Egypt's future after the January 25 Revolution. An official from Al-Azhar, Mahmoud Ashour, the spokesman's of Egypt's Catholic Church, Priest Rafique Aziz, and chairman of Egypt Lovers Assembly, Hany Aziz attended the conference.
