Some of the influential secularists who backed the military's ouster of Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood-run government are starting to worry that the next democratic transition could lead the country back to military rule.
These politicians' worries are fueled by the prospect of a presidential run by Gen. Abdel Fattah Al Sisi, the leader of Egypt's military. In a country where political chaos has divided the population and spawned dozens of dueling political parties and factions, the military is unchallenged as Egypt's most popular and respected institution.
Gen. Sisi—whose military removed President Mohammed Morsi after millions of Egyptians took to the street to protest against his Muslim Brotherhood-backed government—has helped oversee the installation of a civilian-run interim government. He hasn't directly addressed whether he would run. When pressed on the question, however, he hasn't ruled it out. A spokesman for the military didn't respond to requests for comment.
"He never denied he'll run, but he never affirmed. As a matter of fact, you can read it either way," Egypt's Interim Prime Minister Hazem el Beblawi said by telephone. "But if the constitution allows him to run, why not?"
Should he do so, Gen. Sisi would have an excellent shot at winning, several Egyptian officials said, pointing to his popular appeal. Posters with Gen. Sisi's face plaster Cairo's streets, lauding him as the protector of Egypt's revolution. Others show the military leader in uniform under the words: "The only man we can trust." Street vendors sell mugs and T-shirts bearing his image. The same can't be said of his secular counterparts who occupy seats in government. Gen. Sisi is currently butting heads with acting interim Vice President Mohamed ElBaradei over the current standoff with the Muslim Brotherhood, said officials familiar with the matter.
A U.S. official said the State Department was aware of the speculation concerning Gen. Sisi's possible political aspirations.Read the rest of the story HERE.
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1 comment:
I hope he does run for President there. They need someone with a SECULAR Iron fist that will keep religion out of the running of that country. Like Mubarak, someone needs to tell those Muslim clerics to stay the hell in their Mosques where they belong and that they'll be consequences if they stir up trouble.
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