Reactions between opponents and supporters of Supreme Council of Armed Forces leader Mohamed Hussein Tantawi differed after his speech on Tuesday, November 22. Residents of Damietta governorate said the speech confirmed the military institution's insistence on maintaining the country's stability and security to pass the current period safely. One of the residents Mustafa Fayed said the speech was balanced, adding that it reflected Tantawi's wisdom in dealing with these issues. He said the speech drew a road map for the coming period. However, many people criticized the speech, believing it offered nothing. The opponents said Tantawi's style in dealing with the protests is no different from Mubarak's. Ahmed Seyam, one of the opponents, said the speech was late and did not express genuine intent in executing pledges the military rulers took. He added the military should have formed a government prior to accepting the resignation of Essam Sharaf's government. He demanded the authorities delay upcoming parliamentary elections for at least two weeks to find a way to contain current events. April 6 Youth Movement in Damietta criticized the speech and demanded the ruling military council transfer power to a civil authority in addition to prosecuting those involved in killing peaceful demonstrators. The opinions were contradicting in Assiut as well. Demonstrators who rallied in the War and Peace Square in Assiut also refused the speech. Spokesman for an Islamic group Hamada Nasar said the speech has not met the demonstrators' demands, especially as Tantawi did not talk about Deputy PM Ali el-Selmi's constitutional principles document. Nasar criticized Hazem Salah Abu Ismail's calls to resume the protest, saying Abu Ismail does not trust in the dealing of sheikhs with such matters. Gamal Assran, a Nasserite Party official, praised the military institution's insistence on conducting parliamentary elections on time. He added that powers calling for the dismissal of the military council should accept the elections as an important step to the transfer of power. Political powers in Tahrir viewed the speech as a repetition of Mubarak's speeches and demanded an investigation be opened in to the killing of demonstrators. RELATED STORIES: - Freedom House criticizes violent suppression in Egypt - SCAF authority not taken by referendum to leave it by referendum - Washington praises Tantawi's speech - Egyptians Union in Europe calls for formation of civil presidential council - El-Baradei tells CSF to “stop this brutal massacre” - Teargas forced activists and protestors to leave Tahrir Square - In Pictures: Tahrir clashes continue for fourth day - Increase in clashes between security forces and demonstrators in Tahrir Square - National committees control Tahrir Square, tension at Mohamed Mahmoud St. - Political powers to discuss Tahrir events' repercussions - ElBaradei slams 'massacre' in Egypt's protests - Renewed clashes between protestors, police in Mohamed Mahmoud - Police use internationally banned gas to disperse demonstrators - 30 dead in Egypt clashes: health ministry - Min of Interior officials summoned over Tahrir clashes - Baradei: Live bullets, nerve agents used against Tahrir protesters - Abu Ismail calls on demonstrators not to leave Tahrir Square
