Mohamed ElBaradei, former director of the International Atomic Energy Agency and potential candidate in next year’s presidential elections, entered a church in Abbasiya on Saturday evening to congratulate Coptic Pope Shenouda III on the occasion of Easter.
After entering the church alone, ElBaradei was given a seat in the front row, but at some distance from US Ambassador to Egypt Margaret Scobey. "We didn’t want anyone to accuse us of arranging a meeting for the two of them," said Priest Sergios, a church official involved in organizing the event.
In contrast to standard protocol, no one emerged to receive ElBaradei as he entered the reception hall of Shenouda’s residence. When the pope finally came out to greet him, he left quickly after media personnel rushed in to take statements from the two men.
ElBaradei, who was almost bowled over by large numbers of reporters, said he was simply attending the celebration as an "ordinary Egyptian" rather than as a would-be presidential candidate. "I represent myself only," he said, denying he had come seeking the support of Egypt’s Coptic community.
ElBaradei’s reception was undeniably tepid, with his name coming in third on the roster of attendant dignitaries. What’s more, two satellite television channels associated with the Coptic Church declined to interview him, and–unlike most visiting VIPs–he had to wait for his car following the ceremony.
"I just came to congratulate the pope, and all went well," ElBaradei said when asked about his reception.
Translated from the Arabic Edition.
