Broadcaster of El-Qahera el-Youm talk show, Amr Adeeb, interviewed the Egyptian presidential candidate, Hamdeen Sabbahi, yesterday. Youm7 readers sent more than 1,400 questions to be answered by Sabbahi. Sabbahi arrived at the studio at 10:15 P.M. accompanied with a member of of Sabbahi's media committee of his electoral campaign, Mafy Maher. The general coordinator of Sabbahi's campaign, Hossam Moanes, arrived at the studio earlier before them and took a look at the questions of Youm7 readers. Moanes is 29 years old and highly familiar with modern technology and Internet uses. Sabbahi's sense of humor shone when he praised Youm7's role and efforts to support and activate public opinion. He read the questions and noted most of them focus on issues of education and corruption, the transitional phase and about his electoral program. “My campaign prepared answers for the indirect questions as well,” he said. Sabbahi commented on the report about the court ruling that nationalized Egyptian companies, commenting that it is a “historical event.” He also praised judge Hamdy Yaseen Okasha and described him as one of Egypt's greatest men. He wished he was in court hall to share the happiness with people there. Younis reminded Sabbahi about his previous episode of Al-Qahera Al-Youm when Sabbahi and founder of Al-Ghad Al-Gadeed Party and presidential candidate, Ayman Nour, had a debate. “It was a good episode that helped announce my thoughts perfectly to the public,” Sabbahi said. Sabbahi and Younis talked about the Egyptian conditions during Egypt's transitional phase. Sabbahi said the Egyptian army wants to deliver rule to civil authority as soon as possible so it can back to its barracks. However, some people doubt the army's intentions. “Most Egyptians realize the Egyptian army supported them during the Egyptian January 25 Revolution and refused to kill the demonstrators. Egypt's ruling Military Council aims to pass this transitional phase,” Sabbahi said. After the conversation, Sabbahi entered the studio and shook hands with everyone there. Amr Adeeb welcomed Sabbahi and said the Youm7 readers have many questions for him. Tarek Younis said Youm7 will publish the interview on its site, 24 hours after the 500 questions. Adeeb said the questions are very interesting and reveals the recognition of the Egyptian youth and political participation. Before the second break, Adeeb asked Sabbahi some practical important questions. Sabbahi took a look at some documents related to his electoral campaign and sipped from his anise tea. Adeeb asked Sabahi why the Chairman of Egypt's ruling military council, Hussein Tantawi, didn't order the Egyptian Minister of Interior to arrest thugs. Sabbahi said the people support police forces and will help them arrest thugs, however, there is no political law to apply such an order. He assured though that mutual confidence and respect will be restored between the citizens and the police again. During the third break, Adeeb asked Sabbahi if he will repeat the former Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser's economic experiment, which is to nationalize organizations then resell them. “Our public funds will not be sold again. We have experts who can apply many ideas in order to develop the Egyptian economy,” Sabbahi said. During the last break, Adeeb said most presidential candidates refused to answer the question of whether they will apply the Islamic law as president. Sabbahi said his answer is very clear, “The people are above the jurists.” At the end of the episode, Adeeb shook hands with Sabbahi. Sabbahi, Adeeb and Younis took photos together.
