AL-GHARBEYA, Egypt: Potential presidential candidate Ayman Nour criticized the withdrawal of the Egyptian ambassador to Israeli Saturday, saying that the expulsion of the Israeli ambassador from Cairo would be more appropriate. At a political seminar held in the Delta city of Tanta, Nour, head of the liberal al-Ghad Party, said the Israeli apology was not acceptable as it does not prevent violent actions against Egyptians, and that accepting an apology only is a continuation Mubarak-era policies. During the seminar titled “Egypt's political future after January 25,” Nour also criticized the performance of the current government, saying its prominent achievement was eliminating daylight savings time. Nour denied any relationships with American officials, adding that such rumors were promoted by former regime to tarnish his public image. He also praised Egyptian society, which “recognized the importance of achieving change.” He added that the past still controls those who currently rule. Nour said the government's backtracking on its decision to withdraw its ambassador from Israel reflects the state of disorder which in the circle of decision making in Egypt since overthrowing Mubarak's regime. Nour described current conditions as a golden opportunity to amend the articles of 1979 peace treaty that gathered between Egypt and Israel to pave the way for deploying Egyptian troops in Sinai. He added that developing Sinai should be a priority. Nour described current inflation rates as the worst in Egypt's history. Nour blamed the former regime saying it wasted over EGP 90 billion (U.S. $15.1 billion) in debts and secret expenditures.
