CAIRO: Egyptian Prime Minister Essam Sharaf vowed to meet the demands of Egypt's revolution in a speech last night. "I could quit my position and be a national hero but I prefer to execute the demands of the January 25 Revolution," said PM Sharf in a televised address yesterday evening. The prime minister's speech sought to quell the continued unrest in the country and assure revolutionary leaders of his commitment to the revolution's demands. While asking the Egyptian people to place their confidence in him, Sharaf promised the public that all revolution demands will be met. “We hope to abolish the state of emergency,” said Sharaf, referring to the law placing fierce restrictions on civil liberties that has been in effect since 1980. “The Ministry of Interior will make ministry prisons available for inspection by various human rights organizations,” the prime minister added. The Minister of Justice is now authorized to reactivate the "Treachery Law," Sharaf said, which will open the door to criminal prosecution against figures of Egypt's formerly ruling suspected of corruption and crimes during the revolution. The "Treachery Law” was used in the early 50s to try corrupt individuals after the 1952 Revolution. The new individuals selected in the recent ministerial reshuffle were chosen not because of political ideology but rather out of national interest, Sharaf said. Meeting the demands of the revolution is much tougher than asking for them, he said, adding that the government will execute on the demands as far as the government is capable. He said he appreciates the role played by the ruling military council in protecting the country. Sharaf indicated that Egypt is on the threshold of a new phase of democracy and saluted the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) before signing off. The SCAF has been charged with Egypt's administration since the resignation of Egypt's former president in February. Sharaf was appointed as prime minister shortly thereafter.
