Egyptian newspapers today highlighted a proposal from the government to draft a complementary constitutional announcement. The head of the al-Wafd Party, El-Sayyed el-Badawi, today denied that there is a deal between the Party and the military council. El-Badawi attacked other political coalitions who he claims are ignoring political rules. Youm7 The ruling military council has been overthrown and Egypt will turn into a new Iraq, said head of the al-Wafd Party El-Sayyed el-Badawi, while accusing people of a lack of awareness. He added that he excuses the youth in different revolutionary coalitions because they do not understand political rules. He also added that the youth moved the revolution forward and the Egyptian people, as a whole, participated to achieve change. The government accepted a compromise regarding the elections law, the al-Wafd leader said while criticizing other political parties' demands to delay elections. He said such a delay would harm Egypt's interests. El-Badawi also denied rumors that there is an agreement between the al-Wafd Party and the ruling military council. He did add that he expects that an al-Wafd Party member will be the next Egyptian Prime Minister. “Al-Wafd is not considered an opposition party during the current caretaker government, but we reserve the right to criticize the government,” he added. The government decided to agree to ministry decisions after meeting with representatives of striking teachers, reported Egyptian Education Minister Ahmed Gamal al-Din Moussa. Al-Ahram Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohamed Kamel Amr today reported that he had over 50 meetings with top officials from other states and international organizations. The meetings were about international affairs, and most officials expressed support for the January 25 Revolution, Amr reported. “There was no split on the Palestinian issue during the Arab Group meetings in New York,” he added, referencing the Palestinian statehood request earlier this week at the United Nations. Amr also criticized the speech delivered by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the UN General Assembly earlier this week. Amr also supported the Palestinian decision to suspend negotiations with the Israeli government until Israeli settlement-building ceases. Al-Masry Al-Youm The Egyptian government presented a proposal to the ruling military council in which they urge the drafting of a complementary constitutional announcement designed to more clearly articulate the program of power transfer to a civilian authority. The government proposal also urges more constitutional guarantees to protect the elections and future government. There is a potential that the presidential elections will be held during the constitutional drafting period to accelerate the power transfer, sources reported. The next parliament will nominate 40 percent of the members of the committee charged with drafting the constitution, sources added. Syndicates and NGOs will nominate the other 60 percent of the members. A statement will be issued later this month calling for parliamentary elections in November, sources said. Al-Akhbar The Egyptian political field suffers from a state of confusion after the January 25 Revolution, said Egyptian thinker Salah Issa. Islamic movements gave the Arab world tyrannical regimes as a pretext to delaying democracy, he said. “I am pessimistic of Egypt's near future, as I think it will suffer until it achieves democracy, but I am optimistic about its long-term future,” he said. The Public Committee of Arish played a vital role in resolving problems after the insecurity ensued following the January 25 Revolution, said Sadek Ibrahim Gaafer, a member of the committee. “The former regime did not appreciate the role of the committee in spreading social peace,” he said. He also denied that there is an idea to establish an Islamic State in the Sinai Peninsula. He clarified that Islamists don't want to rule, they want the implementation of Islamic Sharia. Al-Shorouq Potential Egyptian Presidential candidate Mohamed Seleim al-Awa today criticized the chaos in Egypt seen since the January 25 Revolution. “People have a right to demonstrate and pressure the government to achieve their demands,” he said, adding that his electoral campaign is financed by friends' donations. Al-Awa claims that his priorities are education reform, housing reform and energy policies. Al-Awa rejects foreign interference in the internal affairs of any Arab state. He added that strengthening relationships between Egypt, Turkey and Iran is an economic necessity, despite political or religious differences. The U.S. Senate is studying a draft resolution to impose new conditions for military aid to Egypt, the paper reported. The resolution allegedly requires new border protection, security in Sinai, upholding commitments to the peace treaty with Israel, the conducting of free and fair elections and continued support of American interests in Egypt and the Arab region. Al-Gomhorreya The missiles found beside the Suez Canal on Saturday were not targeting passing ships in the Canal, a security source reported. The missiles were to be smuggled to Sinai, not to be launched against the Canal, he insisted, adding that the Canal is secure. The security measures taken at the Canal are a precautionary measure and not related to any current threats, he said.
