Presidential hopeful Abdel Moneim Abouel Fotouh called on the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces to hand over power as soon as possible and to carry out its original role of defending the country.
At a meeting with expatriate Egyptians in Riyadh on Friday, Abouel Fotouh said he rules out a repetition of the 1952 revolution scenario, in which the military seized power. He added that all talk about the military remaining in power is “a humiliation for that national institution,” and that it is only in power to carry out a temporary role.
Commenting on calls to implement Islamic Sharia, Abouel Fotou said, “Egypt has had an Islamic identity for 14 centuries and Article 2 of the Constitution states that Islamic Sharia is the main source of legislation,” he said. “If there is a defect here or there, it can be addressed.”
He said that revolutionary youth are still sacrificing themselves to keep the revolution on the right track, and that without their sacrifices Egypt would not have seen the current parliamentary elections, which have registered one of the highest rates of participation in the world.
Abouel Fotouh condemned the recent killing of protesters at Maspero, on Mohamed Mahmoud Street, and on Qasr al-Aini Street in Cairo, adding that the security service should protect peaceful protesters, not kill them. Wrongdoers should be detained and tried in civilian courts, he said.
He said a distinction has to be made between revolutionary youth and what he described as the “organization of thugs” created by the former regime.
He added that these thugs are still working to ruin the revolution and sow hatred between Egyptians. He held them responsible for the burning of the Institut d'Egypt and the attacks on state institutions.
