Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi, head of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, has called on all Egyptians to place their confidence in the armed forces during the critical transition period.
“Those who criticize the armed forces know little,” Tantawi said, delivering a speech at the Military Academy on Sunday. “But they are not traitors, for no Egyptian is a traitor.”
He also said the armed forces will not allow anyone from inside or outside to interfere in the country’s affairs.
Activist Kamal Zakher praised Tantawi’s speech. “It brings back confidence between the people and the army,” he said, although he blames the armed forces for not keeping the people adequately informed. “Perhaps that is why he said they know little.”
Emad Gad of the Al-Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies said the speech was redundant. “It only proves that the army is clinging to power,” he said.
Translated from Al-Masry Al-Youm
