Today the press focused on the parliamentary elections, the capture of a gang smuggling cars between the Gaza Strip, Egypt and Libya, and Wikileaks documents about meetings between Field Marshal Tantawi and the head of American intelligence services. Youm 7 Abdel Moneim Ibrahim, who was injured in clashes outside the trial of former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, said that Central Security Forces surrounded the families of those killed during the January 25 Revolution, and prevented them from attending the trial, although there were less than 20 of them. An officer ordered security forces to beat those gathered outside the trial, which led to stone throwing. Clashes broke out after Mubarak supporters attacked the families of those killed. The beginning of the academic year at the Police Academy has not been set due to the trial, which is being held in the Academy, but the most likely date is Sep. 20. Al-Ahram A Ministerial committee is considering substantive amendments to laws governing political rights, which would increase penalties for offenses related to elections. The law targets anyone using violence or threats against members of the Electoral Commission to prevent them from performing their work. The law also bans intimidation used to influence the elections. Violators could be sentenced to 15 years in prison. Minister of Local Development Mohammed Attia said the amendments also include a prison sentence for attacking or destroying facilities or transportation used in the elections in order to disrupt the poll. The amendments will also include penalties for anyone publishing or broadcasting false statements about the election. Al-Akhbar Ali al-Tarhuny, Vice President of the Executive Office of the Libyan National Transitional Council, said that the January 25 Revolution changed the map of the Arab region. He noted that the fall of the Egyptian and Tunisian regimes contributed to support for the Libyan Revolution. Sherif Doss, head of the General Authority of Copts says that ousted president Hosni Mubarak should apologize to the people of Egypt, and live under house arrest until he dies. Al-Masry Al-Youm Two new documents on Wikileaks revealed the details of a 2009 meeting between Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi, and American Director of National Intelligence Dennis Blair. In the meeting, Blair expressed his hope that relations between Egypt and the U.S. would grow to more than just an exchange of information. The second release documented a meeting between Egyptian Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Sami Annan, with the American Chief of Staff General George Casey. In the meeting, Annan expressed concern about growing Iranian investments in Iraq. The general conveyed Egypt's desire to become a powerful Arab state as a counterweight to Iran, pointing out that Egypt has curbed weapons smuggling into Gaza. When Casey asked Annan for his assessment of the biggest threat to the security of Egypt, Annan said anyone attempting to breach the Egyptian borders is the enemy. Annan stressed that Egypt remains committed to peaceful resolution of conflicts, but pointed out that any threat to Egypt would cause a "violent response" from the army. Al-Shorouq Chairman of the Independent Judiciary Commission Ahmed Mekki requested that Ahmed el-Zend, Head of the Judges Club, accept suggestions and comments on the law of the judiciary from him and other members of the commission, and to organize hearings about the status of the Egyptian judiciary. Ahmad Shamseddin Khafagy, First Deputy Chairman of the State Council, said that civil societies would be permitted to observe and monitor the upcoming elections. Khafgy added that all symbols of political parties before the revolution had been forbidden. Al-Gomhorreya Lutfi Mustafa Kamal, Minister of Civil Aviation, said that actions had been taken to prevent a repeat of the fiasco at the Egyptian airport when Egyptian pilgrims returned from Mecca during Ramadan, when authorities lost pilgrims bags. Lutfi said civil aviation authorities in both Egypt and Saudi Arabia agreed on procedures to be followed during the pilgrimage season, and agreed on the number of flights that will ferry pilgrims to Mecca.
