Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood eyes unity gov't without Mubarak
Opposition group says will exclude reigning President's National Democratic Party from talks; Mohammed ElBaradei: I have been mandated by the people.
By News Agencies Tags: Egypt protests Israel newsThe Muslim Brotherhood, Egypt's largest opposition group,is in talks with other anti-government figures to form a national unity government without President Hosni Mubarak, a group official told DPA on Sunday.
Although the Muslim Brotherhood is officially banned from running for elections for parliament, some movement members have presented candidacy for parliament as independents.
 |
An army officer, borne on the shoulders of anti-government protesters, tearing up a picture of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in downtown Cairo, January 29, 2010. |
| Photo by: AP |
Gamal Nasser, a spokesman for the Brotherhood, told DPA that his group was in talks with Mohammed ElBaradei - the former UN nuclear watchdog chief - to form a national unity government without the National Democratic Party of Mubarak.
The group is also demanding an end to the draconian Emergency Laws, which grant police wide-ranging powers The laws have been used often to arrest and harass the Islamist group.
Nasser said his group would not accept any new government with Mubarak. On Saturday the Brotherhood called on President Mubarak to relinquish power in a peaceful manner following the resignation of the Egyptian cabinet.
Speaking to CNN later Sunday, ElBaradei said he had a popular and political mandate to negotiate the creation of a national unity government.
"I have been authorized -- mandated -- by the people who organized these demonstrations and many other parties to agree on a national unity government," he told CNN.
"I hope that I should be in touch soon with the army and we need to work together. The army is part of Egypt," the opposition leader added.
Opposition figure Mustafa el-Naggar stated that ElBaradei "will be joining protesters in Tahrir," adding he would come to the square later on Sunday, his first visit to the hub of the protest since returning to Egypt on Thursday.
The Egyptian cabinet formally resigned Saturday at the command of Mubarak, following violent anti-government protests that have now reached their sixth day unabated.
Mubarak has yet to comment on the cabinet's resignation. The embattled president addressed the country on Saturday for the fist time since the riots began, saying that he had no intention to resign.
The protests are the most serious challenge to Mubarak's 30-year authoritarian rule. The embattled president defended the security forces' crackdown on protesters, but said that he will press ahead with social, economic and political reforms in the country.
Mubarak has not said yet whether he will stand for another six-year term as president in elections this year. He has never appointed a deputy and is thought to be grooming his son Gamal to succeed him despite popular opposition.
Why Facebook Connect?
Comment on Haaretz.com articles with your Facebook login, and share your thoughts on your own wall.
- Latest
- Most Viewed
- Most Rated
- Open all
El Baradei is the guy that insisted Iran did not have a nuclear weapons program. The truth will come out about how he manipulated inspections in collaboration with Iranian authorities to avoid detection of its nuclear program. Now as an Egyptian he is coming back to lead the charge and a new government. Smacks of Iranian involvement to anyone with any political savvy. Should the new government rescind the peace treaty with Israel the WEAK OBAMA administration will NEVER cut off aid to Egypt. However there are other countries that will welcome the opportunity to befriend Egypt. It really does not matter whether Israel makes peace with everyone, the fact that the situation can change in an instant spells serious danger for Israel.
The "brothers" enemies are two 1) Israel 2) Iran .... so better Iran and Israel get together to handle this common problem!
following the path of Iran, Gaza, Lebanon and maybe Turkey. The Sword of Islam conquers again!
fundamentalism, militarism, anti-zionism, etc. the Egyptian people have the right to choose their future. They have every right to overthrown a government supported by foreign governments that plans for a handful of its population when the population numbers in the many millions. If another power, foreign or domestic, imposes a new government, then when they are ready they have every right to overthrow that government too.
plain and simple- the american people voted in a naive inexperienced dreamer who has no understanding of world affairs. He looked the part, spoke the part...beyond that? there was no substance. Its all becoming quite clear now.
If there is any unintended hopeful outcome in this potential acscension of a religious government in Egypt, it will be the closer ties and an "open border" between Egypt and Gaza. This solidifies the Gaza government as an even more extremist and fundamentalist regime. This then allows Abbas to legitimately separate himself from Hamas/Gaza and reach a separate peace agreement with Israel between two secular governments and isolating Hamas even more
ElBaradei = Bazargan
In order to facilitate a smooth transition of power to the interim government, President Obama should send George Mitchell, David Hale and Dennis Ross to Egypt to mediate terms of Mubarak's exit.
Every stooge has his day...
Many sensible Egyptians will never accept the MB . So we are in for a long period of tumoil, conflict and bombs. Shame for Egypt , hard times for the population there. Sorry, for those who think its going to destroy Israel. It is not going to work that way
according to a friend on Facebook: The slogans in the streets are like this: "ISRAEL YOUR DAYS ARE COUNTED" maybe Egypt will not go for destroying Israel...I agree. But I assure you Camp David treaty will be cancelled immediately. Israel was given many years to close a deal with Palestinians. Now let Bibi deals with the new government that has 30 -40% islamists. By the way...Jordan is next
this is all about mismanagement, corruption, booming population growth, unemployment, price rises etc..... all of which are totally beyond resolution. the next govt will be equally useless but the job is so enormous and even with genuine goodwill motivating them (fat chance) they are simply incapable of sorting out the mess. this has nothing to do with israel or usa or any western country......so try focus on reality.
Who are the Muslim Brotherhood brothers?
Make peace bros..All the weapons you have really can't save you..Peace:)
MUBARAK HAS TO GO ,TRUE DEMOCRACY MUST PREVAIL IN ENTIRE ARAB WORLD
It points probably more toward an uncontrollable chaos . The least the world needs now is hell-brake-loose 80 million young population Egypt .
Another regime of Islamic extremists. Perfect.
If an Islamist regime is chosen by the people, then you've got to accept it. That is the rule of the democratic game. Of course, you can disapprove with the people's choice as we disapprove with your choice of Netanyahu. However, it is your right to choose stubborn leaders.
If they bring in the Muslim Brotherhood,to form the new government,it's like inviting a pack of jackals into their Parliament.
Except the Muslim Brotherhood does not mind people of other faith...
If you want to know what Egypt will look like after this just look at Iraq. Suicide bombongs ...civil war and chaos for 11 years and even now the government in Iraq is not stable. Broken relations with Israel will happen almost immediately. Since the"peace" agreement with Egypt gave them the Sinai; Israel will slowly take control of that area again as an imperative defensive measure. Dark days ahead.
You clearly have no grip on the reality of the Middle East. It does not matter whether Israel makes peace with Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, or Egypt. The masses despise Israel and the fact that it exists. This will NEVER change. Face reality. Arab countries claim today that its the Palestinian problem. What was the problem in 1948 prior to Israels capturing Gaza and the West Bank???
The jails are empty, the fanatics are on the rise and the looters are in the streets. This ain't good, and Egypt may go by way of Iran and the brotherhood, just for the stability. The Iranian's put down their revolt.
Hate them or love them , they are part of the Egyptian society and need to be included in any future governement that Egypt and the Egyptian people form.... If the US oir Israelk does not like it , well tough. The Egyptians had to put up with the imposed Mubarak for 29 years with the blessing and financing of the US and backing of Israel....
yeah, but too bad that the egyptians hate the palestinians more then the israaelis.
with the palestinians but with Syria by giving them the Golan in full, return Gajar and Shebeaa farm immediately. Stop the expasion of settlement stop trying to take over Al Aqsa mosque and do it today and now, this is the only way Israel's survival is insured. The future is bleak.
It is time for the people of Israel, to march in the streets of every city and impose a peace agreement to your government NOW . You country has been high jacked by a an extremist minority. If you fail to understand the historical change in the ME happening today , you probably don't deserve to survive.
The Muslim Brotherhood has survived as an oppressed party, but it's exact strength is not very clear. It has a strong advantage in being well organized. The populace in the streets has not been from it's stronghold neighborhoods.
They have more political clout than one can imagine.
But then, as I'm sure you remember, the crowds that drove out the Shah even had communist students in them. Still, there were more beards then. A lot more beards.
ElBaradei is just a another american slave who will be used and trashed just like Mubarak.