Egypt's Morsi defends economic recovery, criticizes opposition

Author: Nehal El-Sherif

   Cairo (dpa) - Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi on Saturday boasted of economic improvement in the country since his assumption of power in July, as he criticized the opposition for refusing to hold talks with his government.

   "The new constitution ends a transitional period that lasted too long," Morsi said, referring to a period of almost two years since a popular uprising ousted longtime leader Hosny Mubarak.

   "As we celebrate the country's new constitution, it is now the time to build a professional state," said Morsi, addressing the upper house of parliament, known as the Shura Council.

   The head of Al-Azhar, Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayeb, and Coptic Pope Tawadros II were among the attendees.

   The constitution, drafted by an Islamist-led panel, was approved by 63.8 per cent of votes cast in a two-round referendum held this month.

   There have been concerns about Egypt's economy, especially after credit-rating agency Standard & Poor's cut Egypt's long-term rating to B-, while the Egyptian pound has declined against the dollar.

   However Morsi rejected those concerns and attacked opposition leaders who have warned the country might go bankrupt.

   "Those who speak of the country's bankruptcy are the ones who are bankrupt," said Morsi.

   "Despite the huge challenges facing the Egyptian economy, the general indicators have reflected noticeable improvement," he added, while promising 20,000 jobs in the industrial sector.

   He boasted a 2.6 per cent growth in the third quarter of 2012, said that foreign reserves increased by 1.1 billion dollars from July to 15.5 billion dollars in November and that the number of tourists over the past four months had doubled compared with a six-month period last year.

   Morsi, Egypt's first freely elected civilian president, called on the opposition to join his call for dialogue, in the coming period to discuss the electoral law that will government the elections for the lower house of parliament.

   "We completely reject violence" from any faction, said Morsi in a criticism directed at the opposition who have been calling for protests over the past weeks, where backers and opponents of the new constitution fought street battles in which some nine people died.

   Opposition groups say the constitution could undermine political rights and sideline minorities.

   The newly adopted constitution allows the Shura Council to exercise legislative powers, which had temporarily been vested in the presidency, until a new lower house is elected.

   No specific date has been set yet for the legislative polls, though the charter states the election should be held within 60 days of its adoption.

   Meanwhile, local media reported that an Islamist lawyer have withdrawn a lawsuit he filed to Egypt's public prosecutor against three opposition leaders, accusing them of inciting to overthrow Morsi.

   The complaint targeted Nobel peace prize laureate Mohammed ElBaradei, and former presidential candidates Amr Moussa and Hamdeen Sabahy. They lead the country's main opposition alliance, the National Salvation Front, which alleged fraud in this month's constitutional referendum.

Egypt's Islamist-backed constitution approved

By Nehal El-Sherif, dpa


   Cairo (dpa) - Egypt's new constitution, favoured by supporters of Islamist President Mohammed Morsi, was approved by 63.8 per cent of voters in a two-round referendum, officials said Tuesday.

   The charter, drafted by an Islamist-dominated assembly, was criticized by opposition groups who said it could undermine political rights and sideline minorities.

   Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood and its conservative allies say the constitution will fast-track the country's transition to democracy from the authoritarian rule of president Hosny Mubarak, who was deposed almost two years ago.

   About 33 per cent of the 51.9 million registered voters turned out for the December 15-22 ballot. The low turnout was expected to embolden the largely secular opposition, who announced they were getting ready for elections to the lower house of parliament, scheduled to take place within 60 days.

   The Islamist-dominated Shura Council, or upper house, would be given the authority to legislate until a new legislature is elected.

   Election commission chief Samir Abul-Maati rejected allegations by the opposition that the vote was marred by fraud and violations, including the lack of judicial supervision.

   "We did not find any polling stations without judges as complaints said," Abdul-Maati said, adding that all complaints were investigated.

   The United States and European Union reacted cautiously to the result and called for Egyptians to engage across political lines.

   US State Department spokesman Patrick Ventrell pointed to concerns among some Egyptians about the constitution and called on Morsi to work to bridge divisions. Washington would remain committed to helping Egypt with its democratic transitions, he said.

   "We have called for genuine consultation and compromise across Egypt’s political divides. We hope those Egyptians disappointed by the result will seek more and deeper engagement," he said.

   "We look to those who welcome the result to engage in good faith. And we hope all sides will re-commit themselves to condemn and prevent violence."

   EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton likewise stressed the need for dialogue.

   "It is of the utmost importance that the confidence and trust of all Egyptians in the process is restored," she said.

   Many judges had announced they would not oversee the polls because of their stand-off with Morsi. They accused him of undermining judicial independence when he issued a decree in November making his decisions immune to judicial review.

   Although the decree was cancelled, the judges held on to their position to boycott the polls because of a sit-in by Morsi's supporters around the Supreme Constitutional Court, which prevented the judges from resuming their work.

   The election commission cancelled the results of some polling stations that were closed before the scheduled time.

   The opposition April 6 movement slammed the vote. "The constitution lacks popular legitimacy," the group said, citing low turnout and violations reported by several monitors.

   The draft constitution has polarized the country. Opposition leaders have warned of a possible civil war after backers and opponents of the charter fought street battles in which at least nine people died.





published on 25.12.2012 - picked up here

Liberal Saudi writer detained for tweets on Islam

Author: Nehal El-Sherif


   Riyadh (dpa) - Liberal Saudi Arabian writer Turki al-Hamad was detained on Monday for interrogation following his tweets on Islam, the local al-Jazirah newspaper reported online.

   Al-Hamad recently posted a series of comments on Twitter that some have described as offensive to prophet Mohammed.

   "Our Prophet has come to rectify the faith of Abraham, and now is a time when we need someone to rectify the faith of Mohammed," al-Hamad wrote.

   He also wrote: "A new Nazism is appearing on the Arab World called Islamism, but the age of Nazism is long gone, and the sun will shine again."

   Al-Hamad criticized Saudi Arabia, where women do not have the right to drive. "The world is busy with Iran's nuclear abilities and we are busy with women driving cars ... Shame," he wrote.

   Al-Hamad has been criticized for his liberal views several times before in the conservative oil-rich kingdom. In 2006, former al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden said al-Hamad was one of the Arab "freethinkers" who should be killed.

   Saudi Arabia enforces a strict interpretation of Islamic law.

Egypt polarized in post-Mubarak referendum

By Nehal El-Sherif, dpa

   Cairo (dpa) – After weeks of protests, Cairo appeared relatively peaceful on Saturday, as Egyptians queued silently outside polling stations in the first round of voting in a referendum designed to sanction a new constitution.

   This is the fifth time that Egyptians were being asked to vote since a popular uprising ousted president Hosny Mubarak almost two years ago.

   But, unlike the jubilation that permeated last year's parliamentary and presidential elections, this poll has polarized the country.

   In Cairo's working-class neighbourhood of Sayeda Zeinb, Mustafa Ahmed was waiting in line for an hour to vote.

   "I want the interests of Egypt, and I think the new constitution will guarantee this," Ahmed, 40, said.

   "I want stability and welfare. So I am going to vote 'Yes' to security and job opportunities," he said, as he moved two steps closer to the gate of the school where he would cast his ballot.

   Ahmed echoed the fervour of supporters of President Mohammed Morsi and his Islamist allies. Over the past weeks, they have campaigned heavily in favour of the new constitution, which they say will bring stability to the country by allowing Morsi to call an election for a new parliament, instead of spending months re-writing the constitution.

   Opposition parties strongly reject the constitution, which was drafted by an Islamist-led constituent assembly, saying it could undermine women's and political rights, and sideline minorities.

   "I have read the constitution more than 20 times. It is excellent," said Abdul-Rahman Abdul-Wahed, a 51-year-old imam at a mosque in Sayeda Zainab.

   Wearing a beige galabiya (a loose garment often worn by Muslim preachers) and holding a white prayer rosary in his hand, Abdul-Wahed said he believed the constitution "meets the needs of everyone: Women, children, farmers, workers."
   Leila Nimatallah disagreed.

   "The constitution is a disaster. It is a scandal," the 60-year-old said after casting her ballot in Cairo's upscale neighbourhood of Zamalek.

   "Maybe the writers of this charter should go live in a country where Muslims are a minority, then come back and write a constitution that ensures the right of worship for everyone," she said.

   The new constitution does guarantee freedom of belief, but only followers of the "divine religions" - Islam, Judaism and Christianity – are guaranteed the rights to practice religion and build places of worship.

   "So, what about the Indian community here? What about the Hindus? They exist, you know," Nimatallah noted.

   Some residents were worried that the relative peace in Cairo was just the proverbial calm before the storm. Opposition leaders have spoken of a possible civil war and had repeatedly called for the vote to be postponed, so that the constitution could be re-written.

   The current draft has sparked nationwide turmoil, with nine people killed in clashes in Cairo in the last two weeks.

   On Saturday, however, the two camps decided to express their views only through the ballot boxes.

   "It is simply a mess," said Adel, 80, referring to the draft constitution.

   "I left a huge mark beside the 'No' sign," he said, as he left the polling station, leaning on a walking stick.

   He added" "I do not want my grandchildren to live under such a constitution. But, it seems they will have to survive all the violence expected in our Egypt, no matter what the result is."

photos here
Spanish version

Rival protests in Egypt prompt fears of violence

Author: Nehal El-Sherif

   Cairo (dpa) - Thousands of Egyptians took to the streets of Cairo on Tuesday in rival demonstrations held ahead of a vote on a disputed draft constitution, fuelling concerns about possible outbreaks of violence.

   While hundreds of opponents of President Mohammed Morsi tried to pull down concrete barriers placed in front of the presidential palace, in eastern Cairo's Heliopolis neighbourhood, supporters of the Islamist leader gathered in another area of the city to voice their support for Saturday's referendum.

   Opposition groups have rejected the constitution as undemocratic and want the vote cancelled.

   "I voted for Morsi, but I realize now I made a big mistake because all the decision he took have increased our problems," said Mahmoud Hassan, 26, as he marched with protesters towards the presidential palace.

   Hassan, who works as a waiter, was angered by Morsi's recent decree to increase sales taxes of basic products.

   "When I knew about the decree, I decided that his chance is over and I came to demand his departure, along with his regime," he told dpa.

   In a bid to ease tension, Morsi has halted his decision to impose higher sales taxes on many products, including steel, cement, soft drinks, beer, cigarettes and mobile-phone services.

   However, the decree has not been cancelled.

   Opposition protesters have started likening the current president to Egypt's ousted strongman, Hosny Mubarak, with a banner showing a mix of the two men's faces and the phrase “Mohamed Morsi Mubarak.”

   The latest marches were taking place after a group of masked men threw petrol bombs at an opposition sit-in in Tahrir Square. The attack started a small fire but was contained quickly, according to media reports.

   Rival protests were also held in the northern coastal city of Alexandria.

   The new constitution, which was drafted by an Islamist-led constituent assembly, has sparked the deepest crisis in Egypt since Mubarak's resignation almost two years ago.

   Nine people were killed last week in clashes between rival protesters near the presidential palace.

   The opposition has rejected an offer of dialogue from Morsi, who has reversed a decree granting himself sweeping powers to defuse the crisis.

   They want the Islamist president to scrap the vote on the new constitution, which they say could undermine women, political rights and religious minorities.

   Morsi has called on the army to maintain public order and secure government institutions until the referendum's results are announced. The army has also been granted powers to arrest civilians, raising fears that the military would again play a leading role.

   However, the presidency on Tuesday said that any one arrested will be tried by a civilian court, rather than a military court.

   Underlying the problems that the latest crisis is posing for the economy, Egyptian authorities have asked the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to delay a 4.8-billion-dollar loan because of the political turmoil.

   The IMF "remains in close contact with the authorities, and stands ready to continue supporting Egypt during the ongoing transition and to consult with the authorities on the resumption of discussions" on the stand-by loan, a spokeswoman said.

Judges agree to oversee Egypt's constitution vote

Author: Nehal El-Sherif

   Cairo (dpa) - Judges in Egypt agreed Monday to oversee a referendum on the country's new constitution, paving the way for the December 15 poll to take place.

   Many of the judges had initially said they would boycott the vote. However, they changed their mind after President Mohammed Morsi cancelled a controversial decree giving him immunity from judicial review.

   Morsi has agreed to annul the November 22 decree in an attempt to defuse increasing tension across the country, but insists that the constitutional vote should go ahead on Saturday.

   The Administrative State Council said their latest decision was conditional on a sit-in outside the Supreme Constitutional Court being ended.

   Supporters of Egypt's Islamist president have camped outside the court's headquarters, in Cairo's southern suburb of Maadi, for the last nine days, preventing judges from working.

   Protesters wanted to stop the court from dissolving the higher house of parliament, known as the Shura Council, or the Constituent Panel. Both are dominated by Islamists.

   Other conditions placed by the judges include protecting voters, securing polling stations and banning propaganda outside them.

   Morsi has called on the army to maintain public order and secure government institutions in the run-up to the referendum.

   His decree, which was issued on Sunday, grants army officers the authority to arrest civilians to "maintaining public order" until the vote's results are announced.

   The army last week deployed tanks around the presidential palace in Cairo and built a wall of concrete blocks to prevent opposition protesters from reaching the complex following deadly clashes between opponents and supporters of Morsi.

   Seven people were killed and hundreds were injured in the violence, which underscored deep divisions in Egypt almost two years after the popular revolt that forced former strongman Hosny Mubarak to resign.

   Dozens of protesters continue to camp in Cairo's central Tahrir Square and outside the presidential palace.

   Egypt's main opposition coalition, the National Salvation Front, rejects the referendum, saying it will lead to more divisions and tensions.

   The Strong Egypt Party, led by Islamist politician Abdul-Moneim Abul-Fotouh, has also rejected the constitution and has began a campaign to urge people to vote against it.

   In another bid to ease tension, Morsi also has reversed his decision to increase sales taxes on many products, including steel, cement, soft drinks, beer, cigarettes and mobile-phone services.

   The measure had been expected to increase resentment towards  Morsi and the government.

   Speaking in Brussels, European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said she was "very concerned" about developments in Egypt.

   "We urge a de-escalation, we urge an inclusive discussion, we urge that Egypt is allowed to continue ... on its process of transition and we will continue to support the people of Egypt in every way we can," Ashton said during talks with EU foreign ministers.

   Also in Brussels, German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle described the situation as very fragile, stressing that he was concerned "because we want the success of the Egyptian revolution."

   Austrian Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger, for his part, called on Morsi to engage in dialogue with the opposition to discuss steps after the referendum, while his Italian counterpart, Giulio Terzi, appealed to Egyptian leaders to listen and "assure the plurality and the richness of composition of the Egyptian society."

Morsi cancels controversial "sweeping powers" decree

Author: Nehal El-Sherif
  
   Cairo (dpa) - Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi late Saturday annulled a controversial decree that had granted him sweeping powers, in a bid to ease tensions that have gripped the country over the past week.

   Morsi issued a new decree to cancel his November 22 move, which had given the president's decisions immunity to judicial review, Islamist politician Mohamed Selim al-Awa told a press conference in Cairo.

   However, a referendum on a draft constitution would go ahead as planned on December 15, al-Awa said, adding that constitutionally Morsi was unable to change the date.

   Thousands of protesters took to the streets over the past two weeks to rally against both Morsi's decree and the new constitution, drafted by an Islamist-dominated assembly.

   Supporters and opponents of the president had clashed Wednesday in front of the presidential palace. The violence, the worst since Morsi became Egypt’s first elected Islamist in June, killed at least seven and injured 775.

   Al-Awa was among some 40 people invited by Morsi after the violence for a long dialogue session with the president and his deputy. Most of the attendees were Islamists.

   Egypt's main opposition alliance, the National Salvation Front, led by prominent dissident Mohammed al-Baradei, has spurned Morsi's call for talks, demanding instead he suspend the December 15 referendum.

   The opposition said the constitution ignores freedom and women's rights.

   Earlier, the alliance called for daily street protests to continue until Morsi acceded to demands to give up the expanded powers and drop the referendum on the constitution.

   "We call on Egyptian youth to hold peaceful demonstrations and sit-ins in all of Egypt's squares until our demands are met," one of the group's leaders, Mohamed Abul-Ghar, said.

   "The will of the people is turning toward a general strike," he added.

   The Egyptian army Saturday warned that different political powers will lead Egypt “into a dark tunnel" if they fail to solve the crisis.

   “Dialogue is the best and only method to reach a consensus serving the interests of the nation and citizens,” the army said in a statement.

   The reaction is the first from the powerful military since the crisis erupted last month. The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces ruled Egypt for more than a year after a popular uprising forced Hosny Mubarak out of power in February 2011.
  
   A vote for Egyptians abroad on the draft constitution will be held on Wednesday, after it was postponed from Saturday.

Egypt judicial council to oversee referendum

Author: Nehal El-Sherif

   Cairo (dpa) - Egypt's Supreme Judicial Council agreed on Monday to oversee the upcoming referendum on the constitution, despite a call by an influential independent judiciary group to boycott it.

   Judge Ahmed Abdul Rahman, a member of the council, said that the  judiciary's top body had agreed to assign judges and prosecutors to oversee the vote.

   He said no judge would be allowed to reject the assignment without an excuse acceptable to the council, the state-run daily Al-Ahram reported. Without oversight, the referendum might not be recognized.

   President Mohammed Morsi has scheduled for December 15 a public vote on the new constitution, Egypt's first since a popular uprising forced his predecessor, Hosny Mubarak, to resign almost two years ago.

   But on Sunday the head of the independent Judges Club, Ahmed al-Zend, called on the country's judges not to oversee it, in protest at a recent decree by Morsi which makes his decisions immune to judicial review. 

   The Club criticized Morsi for interfering in the judiciary's work and violating its independence.

   The final draft of the constitution was hastily adopted by the constituent assembly on Friday amid an outcry from liberals and minority Christians who criticized the document as too heavily influenced by the Islamist majority in the panel which drew it up.

   Around 11 independent and opposition Egyptian newspapers are expected to suspend publication on Tuesday to protest what they described as Morsi's "dictatorship."

   Al-Masry Al-Youm and Al-Tahrir papers published a black poster on their front pages Monday, with the image of a human covered in newspaper pages, chained in a cell, and the line "A constitution that cancels rights and chains freedoms. No to dictatorship."

   Protesters also gathered in Tahrir Square for the 11th day of a sit-in, begun after Morsi issued the decrees expanding his powers and barring courts from dissolving the Islamist-dominated constituent assembly.

   The Supreme Constitutional Court suspended its sessions indefinitely Sunday after thousands of Islamists surrounded its building before it was to hear a case on the legality of the constituent assembly.

   The court said in a statement that the protesters had prevented its judges from accessing its building in Cairo.

   Egyptians living abroad are to begin voting on the new constitution on Saturday.