Egypt's newspapers today focused on the army's preparations for the plan aiming to restoring security and stability in Sinai through intensifying its presence in Arish and arresting extremists who work to destabilize the country. The press also highlighted the departure of James Bever, head of the USAID office in Cairo, amid controversy about American funding of Egyptian NGOs. U.S. Assistant Secretary of State, Jeffrey Feltman, acknowledged that there are differences with Cairo in this regard. Youm7 Egypt's Armed Forces ended its spread in Arish preparing for executing the plan to restore security and stability in Sinai and to arrest extremists who attempt to destabilize the country. Saleh al-Masry, North Sinai's Security Director, denied the rumors circulated recently about the presence of al-Qaeda operatives in Sinai. Meanwhile, Sinai demonstrators demanded that officials reveal the truth of al-Qaeda's presence in Sinai, especially as there are reports about the presence of an organization related to al-Qaeda in Sinai led by an al-Qaeda leader who escaped from his prison in April. In other news, Youm7 obtained documents about the investment plan of Egypt's Presidency and Cabinet. The plan included allocating about 7 million EGP to develop the services and headquarters of the presidency. Al-Ahram U.S. Assistant Secretary of State, Jeffrey Feltman, acknowledged that there are differences with Cairo about funding offered to Egypt NGOs and political parties. He said the American desire is not to interfere in Egyptian internal affairs. A governmental source said any foreign funding to Egyptian institutions should be subject to Egyptian laws. It added that such funding should be transparent. Feltman told Al-Ahram that the U.S. has a long history of supporting Egyptian society. He said the U.S. provides political parties with training to allow Egyptians to participate in building a democratic regime. The Muslim Brotherhood (MB) denied signing a document with Dr. Ali al-Salmi to approve the above-constitutional principles as they refuse circumventing the repercussions of the recent constitutional amendments. Mahmoud Ghazlan, MB spokesman, said the group refuses such a document as an impediment to the Egyptians' wishes. He also said the group demanded its administrative offices in Egypt's governorates prepare a list of those people who will represent the group in the next parliamentary elections. He added that the MB coordinates with the Salafis and the Gama'a al-Islamiyya to unify their visions and situations to pave the way for unity in the next elections. He ruled out that the group will coordinate with Sufis, as they have no experience politics. Al-Akhbar Sinai's development committee will hold a meeting today to follow executing Sinai's development programs and meet the demands of its residents. The committee is headed by Egyptian Prime Minister Essam Sharaf and includes representatives of the ministries participating in developing Sinai. North Sinai Governor Sayed Abdel Wahab Mabrouk said that a number of development projects will be implemented in the governorate. He added that the governorate will offer solutions for the main problems which impede achieving development. North Sinai witnessed an intensive security presence to protect the security and stability of the governorate. Security forces have spread in front of police stations and armored vehicles in different cities. The U.S. Department of State criticized the news about the departure of the head of the U.S. Office of the International Development in Cairo because of the hostile feelings towards the U.S., describing such information as inaccurate. Al-Masry Al-Youm Cairo Criminal Court will hold the third judicial session in the trial of Egypt's former Interior Minister Habib al-Adly and six of his assistants on Sunday in the case of killing peaceful demonstrators during the January 25 Revolution. Judicial and military sources said Judge Ahmed Refaat will decide tomorrow on the demands of the defendants' defense to summon the leader of the ruling military council, Hussien Tantawi, and Egypt's former vice president Omar Suleiman for testimony in Mubarak's case. Farid al-Deeb, the lawyer of Egypt's former president, said he only focuses on preparing a memo of defense which will be offered to the court during the next session. He said he prepares the memo in n unknown place to avoid any disturbance. The newspaper also published the letter that Deeb sent to the German doctor who conducted an operation to remove cancer from Mubarak's bile duct. He demanded the doctor come to Egypt to follow Mubarak's state. Al-Shorouq The newspaper signaled to the failure of the meeting of the Judges general assembly to refuse the committee which formulates the jurisdiction law, formed by the head of the High Judicial Council. The meeting witnessed a difference between the attendants so they failed to reach a compromise. The meeting revealed that there is a split among those who support judicial independence and their opponents. The newspaper highlighted that the coordinating committee among the syndicates in Alexandria demanded the Egyptian government and the Arab peoples support the demands of the Syrian people. They demanded the Arab states withdraw their ambassadors from Syria to protest against the massacres by the Syrian regime against its people. Al-Gomhorreya Although tourism has been strongly affected by events in Egypt since the January 25 Revolution, Sharm el-Shiekh witnessed a notable development in tourism after the departure of Egypt's former President Hosni Mubarak from its international hospital. Egyptian Prime Minister Essam Sharaf said national and social accordance is a main condition for the new constitutional announcement to express the accordance of the whole people. The spokesman of Egypt's Cabinet said the government is working to achieve the objectives of the revolution such as restoring stability and security, activating the national economy and achieving political development and democratic change.
