Egypt press reported the Supreme Electoral Committee's statement about political forces receiving foreign funds to hold electoral campaigns. The Bella ferry captain statements about refusing Israeli help to rescue the ferry and Sheikh Abdul Hamid al-Atrash's fatwa that Arab and Islamic countries must not cooperate with U.S. against Iran. Youm7: Youm7 published the first interview with Bella ferry captain, who revealed the secrets of deathly voyage in the middle of the sea on the way back to Egypt. The captain said he refused Israel's offer to participate in rescuing passengers. He also assured Jordan made more effort than Egypt did. He also revealed many surprises. He expressed his sorrow because Egyptian authorities dealt with the crisis carelessly and tried to arrest the captain, while Jordon's king honored the captain for his role in rescuing the passengers. The head of the Egyptian union for independent unions Kamal Abu Etta said the circumstances of Egyptian workers did not change much after the Egyptian January 25 Revolution. He believes it has become worse. Etta expected circumstances to be better and said, “This crisis will end soon.” He explained the union does not receive any foreign funds but it comes from member payments. Al-Ahram: Head of the Cairo Appeal Court and Head of Supreme Electoral Committee Abdel Moez Ibrahim said Egypt's ruling military council is able to secure elections and confront the mess. He added the entire Egyptian society own the upcoming elections and every one must participate in protecting them. He also said voting will be allowed until midnight. Each individual result will be announced in 24 hours. Abdel Moez denied the claims of judges not supervising the elations. He also assured Islamic slogans will not be used. Al-Masry Al-Youm: Al-Masry Al-Youm published a draft for Worship Housing Law, which Al-Azhar and the church agreed on. The law said the distance between two houses of worship in the same religion must not be less than 500 meters. Governors have the right to issue building, destruction or renewing licenses. They also have the right to determine places of services activities and houses of holders rites. The church agreed upon the law while Al-Azhar agreed with some notes. Al-Akhbar: Qatari Prime Minister Hamad Ben Gasem said Gulf countries are not far from the Arab Spring revolutions. Regarding the crackdown by Arab leaders to end these revolutions, Gasem said which authority can permit rulers to destroy their country and kill their people. He assured there are no personal disagreements between him and Syrian president Bashar al-Assad. He denied Qatar will host the political office of Hamas. Gasem said Qatar considered Egypt as the greatest Arab country and they are sure Egypt will pass its crisis powerfully. He assured Qatar is committed to present aid to support the Egyptian economy. He also said the U.S. military base in Qatar does not affect Qatari foreign policies. Al-Shorouq: Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmed Negad said he will not stop the Irani nuclear program. An Iranian analyst said the Arab spring revolutions are the reason behind U.S. increasing pressure upon Iran. Meanwhile the assistant chief of staff of Iranian forces Masoud Gazaeri threatened to destroy Israel if Iranian nuclear facilities are being attacked. “We have forces strog enough to destroy Israel's Dimona nuclear reactor there and more,” Gazaeri said. French Prime Minister Alain Juppe said transferring the Iranian nuclear file to Security Council is necessary. He also claimed to impose cruel penalties upon Tehran. EU Prime Minister Catherine Ashton announced the nuclear agency report increased international fear from the real nature of Iranian nuclear program. Al-Gomhorreya: Former head of Al-Azahr Fatwa committee Abdel Hamid al-Atrash said Arab and Islamic countries cooperating with the U.S. against Iran are sinful and are considered committing crimes against Islam. “The rest of the Arab and Islamic countries boycott countries supporting the U.S. and Israel because they destroy other Islamic countries. If they do not boycott, they will be partners in their sins,” al-Atrash said.
