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http://english.alarabiya.net
El Baradei calls on Egyptians to end military rule amid calls for civil disobedience
Egyptians must overcome economic and political differences to unite and put the country on the path to democracy and away from military rule, former presidential candidate Mohammed ElBaradei said on Wednesday amid calls for civil disobedience on Feb. 11 to demand a swift handover of power to civilians. “It is time to set aside our differences. We need the strength of a unified Egypt: ensuring judicial independence, protecting media freedom and civil society, and tapping Egypt's potential as an emerging market,” ElBaradei wrote in the Financial Times of London. The former head of the U.N. nuclear agency gave his backing to the Muslim Brotherhood, a well-organized Islamist group, which he believes will “embrace other political factions, support free markets and be pragmatic.” Egypt’s ruling military council, eager to relinquish power as soon as possible, has indicated that parliamentary elections could happen as soon as September, to be followed by a presidential election. ElBaradei, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005, described the performance of the military rulers as “below expectations,” adding that Egyptians have seen “little positive change” as the country’s economy, including its once-booming tourism industry, shrivels He identified the “lack of democratic framework” as his reason for pulling out of the race for the Egyptian presidency last month, but will instead focus on bolstering the country's social cohesion. “I believe I can contribute more if I am not wading through the political muck and hope to help groom the youth that triggered the revolution so they can take over the leadership of the country in the next election,” he wrote. “We have one undeniable achievement to bolster our confidence: the culture of fear has gone forever. Despite the ups and downs of the past year I believe with all my heart that our revolution will succeed.” ElBaradei withdrew as a candidate for the Egyptian presidency last month, saying “the previous regime” was still effectively running the country. Muslim Brotherhood to boycott planned strike Meanwhile, the Muslim Brotherhood group said on Tuesday it will boycott plans for civil disobedience on Feb. 11 and urged all citizens to do the same, an Egyptian daily reported. The April 6 Youth Movement and ElBaradei supporters have called for civil disobedience to demand a swift handover of power to civilians, and speed up trials of those involved in killing demonstrators. Feb. 11 will mark the one-year anniversary of former president Hosni Mubarak’s ouster. A host of political groups, university students and trade unions in various fields said they would participate, especially after the Port Said football carnage that left 74 people dead, Egypt’s al-Masry al-Youm reported on Wednesday. The ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) warned on its Facebook page on Sunday that the strike would pull Egypt’s economy into the abyss, and chaos would lead to the fall of the state. Brotherhood Secretary General Mahmoud Hussein described the planned civil disobedience as “dangerous” and “against the interest and future of the country.” Hussein advised those who recommended the strike to embrace reason and wisdom. “They should refrain from such destructive ideas,” he said. “People have the right to protest peacefully,” he added according to the report carried out by al-Masry al-Youm. “But patriotism and sabotage don’t go together.” Demands of revolutionaries The Egypt Revolutionaries’ Alliance -- which brings under its umbrella over 50 political groups -- listed seven demands to be met in order for its anticipated campaign of civil disobedience to end, according to the online edition of al-Ahram daily. The newspaper listed the six demands as: 1- The immediate dismantle of the incumbent interim government, led by SCAF-appointed Prime Minister Kamal al-Ganzouri, and the appointment of a government of national salvation with members selected by the People’s Assembly. 2- The immediate holding of presidential elections. 3- The formation of an investigation committee mandated with the judicial and executive authority to investigate all crimes and massacres committed by the ruling authorities since Jan. 25, 2011. 4- The establishment of “revolutionary tribunals” to try all former regime figures found guilty of involvement in crimes committed after the Jan. 25 Revolution. 5- The immediate dismissal of Egypt’s general prosecutor. 6- The purge and overhaul of Egypt’s Ministry of Interior, especially the National Security apparatus, which continues to be seen as a continuation of the notorious State Security apparatus. (Additional writing by Abeer Tayel
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