CAIRO: Prominent Egyptian opposition figure and expected presidential candidate Mohamed el-Baradei says he did not disappear from Tahrir Square as some people claim. El-Baradei said each phase of a revolution and political change is different and the methods to achieve these ends will be different. He says his role before the revolution was confined to educate people and encourage the Egyptian youth. "After the revolution, my goal was to unite political forces together and to help them develop Egypt on the right track, el-Baradei said. “The January 25 Revolution achieved some goals but not all of them. We want a free and democratic system of social justice." When asked to comment about the upcoming presidential elections, el-Baradei said, “We must bring Egypt up on her feet first and then we can discuss the elections. Our main problem is that we have no concrete plan regarding the future of our country.” El-Baradei pointed out he has a very different role than he had in the past; he travels abroad to convince foreign investors to invest in Egypt. He said the Supreme council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) assumed power without any political experience. The solution is to create an interim government with greater powers to get Egypt back on the right track. El-Baradei made these claims during his interview on the TV program 'New Egypt' on Hayat TV. El-Baradei has no issues with the religious political parties as long as they co-exist with other parties in a civil state, respect democratic principles and refrain from using slogans like “Islam is the solution" or “Christianity is the solution." El-Baradei pointed out he was the first to welcome the participation of Islamists into Egypt's political life. El-Baradei said he believes the elections should be postponed and the transitional period extended. “We must have greater clarity regarding how we want things to move forward in Egypt." Regarding the Palestinian issue, el-Baradei said resolving the Palestinian issue is not a military cause; it is through empowering the Arab world and building it economically, scientifically and politically then a balance of powers between it and Israel will be rectified. "If I am chosen as president, I will not export Egyptian gas to Israel," El-Baradei said. He added he is ready to debate with, Mohamed Salem el-Awa, or any other presidential candidate when it is time for election. El-Baradei described the national state-run Egyptian media as "intellectual thugs" and believes national channels should run independent from the government. He added he is not interested in news of former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak's health. With regard to the return of security Egypt, el-Baradei said the best solution is to greater openness and improvement of relations between the security forces and citizens. He concluded by giving a message to Egyptian political forces, “Let us unite regardless of our ideologies, whether Liberal or Salfist, let us unite to build a better Egypt." El-Baradei was formerly secretary-general of the U.N.'s International Atomic Energy Agency. Egyptians view him as an internationally respected figure above the petty infighting typical amongst Egypt's opposition movements and parties. Arabic here
