The Muslim Brotherhood participated in the revolution from the very beginning and has not abandoned it, said Essam al-Erian, vice president of the Freedom and Justice Party, on Friday.
He said everyone has the right to stage a sit-in, but the Brotherhood has decided not to take part in the current sit-in in order to give the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) a chance after some demands were achieved.
Addressing the audience at a public conference in Ashmoun, Monufiya, Erian said “Do not be fooled by those who believe they lead the nation. These people with loud voices may have the right to stage sit-ins but they do not have the right to speak as though they were the only revolutionaries out there.”
Asked if the popularity of the Brotherhood has eroded since the 8 July sit-in and the group’s decision not to take part in it, Erian said it is still too early to judge and the people will have their say in the upcoming elections.
Addressing Prime Minister Essam Sharaf, Erian said, “The SCAF has said it is giving you full freedom now and the people are waiting for a lot from you. Or else we will head to the squares.”
To the SCAF, Erian said, “You promised to hand power over to a civilian authority elected by the people and the people will not accept anything other than that. We trust that the elections will be held on time under full judicial supervision.”
Translated from the Arabic Edition
