Major Egyptian newspapers today published interviews with prominent public figures. Youm7: “The Muslim Brotherhood does not seek to rule Egypt during the transitional period,” Preacher Ali Nueto told Youm7 today in an interview. “All presidential candidates have no impact,” he said, adding that Amr Moussa has lapses, Mohamed el-Baradei has no chance to win and Egypt is too big to be carried on Hazem Abu Ismail's shoulders. Al-Ahram: The Egyptian Ministry of Manpower and Immigration has passed its weak period and there will not be any negotiations with the strikers except after going back to Tahrir Square, Minister Ahmed al-Boraei to state-run Al-Ahram in an interview titled “Work Strikes Are Landmines in the Way of Government.” “There is no problem with the minimum wage,” he added. He said that the yellow remittances from Iraq are postponed until banking interests can be agreed upon. Al-Ahram also conducted an interview with Egyptian Grand Mufti Ali Gomaa on the occasion of the pilgrimage to Mecca. Gomaa said that going on the pilgrimage is a pillar of the Muslim faith. He also asked pilgrims to pray for Egypt. Al-Akhbar: Consumer protection will be expanded to reach the Egyptian subsidies of bread in order to come closer to social justice, said Chairman of the Consumer Protection Body Atef Yaqoub. Al-Masry al-Youm: The clashes between Coptic demonstrators and the Egyptian military at the Radio and Television headquarters (Maspiro) revealed the absence of the Egyptian state's role, said Head of the Egyptian Democratic Party Mohammad Abu el-Ghar. If the ruling military council felt as though it is unable to protect the parliamentary elections, it should expand the transition period, he added. He also condemned all exceptional laws including the Law of Treachery (Law of Perfidy). Egypt is the greatest religious country in the world, he added. There is a coordination between the Muslim Brotherhood and the military council from the beginning of the January 25 Revolution, al-Ghar continued. The paper also discussed the death of disgraced Libyan President Muammar Gadhafi, including the subsequent celebrations throughout Libya. Al-Gomhorreya: Head of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi today received Egyptian scientist Ahmed Zweil at the headquarters of the Egyptian Ministry of Defense. The meeting was convened to discuss Zweil's City of Science and Technology and the steps being taken to implement the ambitious project. Tantawi confirmed his full support for the project, which aims to enhance the Egyptian future and help Egypt build a base of scientific research. The World Bank is considering the continuation of an irrigation-funding project in Upper and Middle Egypt, the paper reported. This project plans to help Egypt plant 1.7 million acres by 2017 for 12.68 billion EGP (U.S. $2.12 billion).
