Egyptian newspaper headlines today were splashed with statements from Iranian President Ahmadinejad, saying that the Zionist entity will soon disappear and that America and Israel are trying to rally the world around a military operation against Iran. Iran does not have atomic bombs, said Ahmadinejad, adding that Israel is the biggest threat to the region with 300 nuclear warheads. The al-Wafd Party will enter the upcoming Egyptian presidential elections and will announce the name of its candidate after the parliamentary elections, said Party chief Sayyid al-Badawi. He also claims that he will not seek the presidency. The Muslim Brotherhood did not take adequate steps to integrate into political life, said Vice President of the National Council for Human Rights Kamal Abul-Magd, adding that many of their statements frighten Egyptian voters. Youm7: Youm7 today published a report on an alleged Masonic/Jewish ceremony to be held on November 11, 2011 at the Giza Pyramids, a report first confirmed then denied by the Supreme Council of Antiquities. The paper also published a report on some irregularities in documents worth U.S. $16.8 million in the Burullus Company, a subsidiary of the Egyptian Petroleum Authority, the Central Auditing Agency reported. The company allegedly hired a drilling rig worth U.S. $285,000 per day and paid a U.S. $10 million fine for returning the rig late. The report mentioned other irregularities as well. Al-Ahram: “The al-Wafd Party will enter the upcoming presidential elections,” said Sayyid al-Badawi, the head of the Party, adding that the nominated name will be announced after the parliamentary elections. He also noted that he will not pursue the presidency. He also called for the application of the Law of Perfidy to the leaders of opposition parties, adding that rumors about the remnants of the National Democratic Party running for parliament via al-Wafd lists are untrue. Al-Ahram also published a report on how political and electoral campaigns are overshadowing Eid celebrations in the provinces, adding that candidates are now presenting gifts to children in celebration of the Muslim holiday. Al-Masry Al-Youm: Al-Masry Al-Youm today published an interview with Vice President of the National Council for Human Rights Kamal Abdul Magd. “The Muslim Brotherhood (MB) has not taken adequate steps to integrate itself into political life,” said Magd, adding that the MB “has flaws very similar to the former regime” and scares common Egyptians with their pronouncements. “I expect that Gamal Mubarak would have staged a coup to oust his father if he was refused the presidency,” Magd continued. “There is difficulty in retrieving the money that former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak pilfered from Egyptians and siphoned into his accounts.” Magd also blamed State Television for inciting the revolution, adding that he doubted that Gamal Mubarak would have been able to rule as he had no supporters in the army and was not popular in Egypt. Al-Akhbar: Al-Akhbar today published an interview with Iranian President Ahmadinejad. “The Zionist entity will disappear soon and American and Israel are trying to rally the world around a military operation against Iran,” the Iranian leader said. “Iran does not have atomic bombs, but we will not let the arrogant stop our role.” “Israel is the biggest threat to the region as they have 300 nuclear warheads,” Ahmadinejad continued. “I am proud of Egypt and am ready to visit immediately if I receive a formal invitation.” Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak recently made statements during his visit to Britain, warning against Iran's nuclear program and the likelihood of it being used against Israel. Al-Shorouq: “The volume of fraud in banking operations annually in the world eclipses U.S. $12 billion,” said Martin Dolan, CEO of cr2, in a recent interview with Al-Shorouq. “Thirty percent of customers who are exposed to fraud close their bank accounts.” “It is quite simple to create fake credit cards, as it only requires a camera and a computer,” Dolan continued. The number of mobile number lines in existence in Egypt has eclipsed the total population, with 81 million lines at the end of the third quarter of 2011. There were 76 million active mobile numbers at the end of the second quarter of 2011. Al-Gomhorreya Chief of the Supreme Council of the Egyptian Armed Forces (SCAF) Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi yesterday performed the Eid al-Adha prayer at the armed forces' mosque. Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces Sami Annan, Egyptian Prime Minister Essam Sharaf and Grand Egyptian Mufti Ali Gomaa were also in attendance. “The Bella ferry is fully insured by Lloyd's Insurance,” said Minister of Transport Ali Zain al-Abdin Heikal, adding that the company “will pay full compensation according to the law.” Passengers have already registered their data, which is the first step on the road to compensation for damages incurred.
