29/10/2013

Speaking to the Egyptian community in Abu Dhabi, Prime Minister Dr. Hazem Al Beblawi said something with which I happen to disagree. He said, “Egypt has terminated military rule and it will never return.”

Historically, the movement of 23 July 1952 was based on the ideals of the Free Officers. These ideals developed afterwards in various institutional forms featuring the Socialist Union and a civilian government under Gamal Abdel Nasser, then a form of constitutional legitimacy under al-Sadat.

When President Mubarak stepped down, he delegated authority to the leadership of the Armed Forces headed by Field Marshal Tantawi to assume the responsibility of governance for a transitional period leading to free elections.

On July 3, 2013, the day Gen. el-Sisi removed Mohamed Morsi from power in reaction to the expressed will of the Egyptian people, the head of Egypt’s Constitutional Court, Adly Mansour, was named interim president. El-Sisi kept his post as defense minister.

Where, in all of the above, is there military rule, Dr. Hazem? As our civilian prime minister, perhaps you should be more careful selecting your words.

Translated from Al Yom 7