‘Egypt polls to be held on schedule’

The general parliamentary and presidential elections in Egypt will be held on schedule within nine months to restore a democratic set up and atmosphere, a senior member of the recently-formed Egyptian Popular Diplomacy delegation told Khaleej Times.

“The parliamentary elections will be held within six months that will be followed by the election of the president. We are confident the democratic setup of country will be restored within these nine months with the full support and participation of the masses,” said Hamdeen Subahi, head of the delegation on the sideline of a Press conference held in the UAE.

The delegation is visiting UAE to express Egyptian peoples’ thank for the UAE’s recent $4.9 billion support for the redevelopment of its economy that has been affected by recent crisis after the eviction of former president Hosni Mubarak.

The delegation, a group of politicians, journalists, artistes and scholars, is visiting all the countries that have extended their support to the interim government of Egypt after the ouster of Muslim Brotherhood-led government of Mohammed Mursi, who was toppled after a mass revolution on June 30. On July 3, the military removed Mursi.

The team was received at the Abu Dhabi Airport by Dr Sultan bin Ahmed Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of State, Mohammed bin Nakhaira Al Dhahiri, UAE Ambassador to Egypt, Mohammed Yusuf, Chairman of the UAE Journalists Association, Ambassador Designate of Egypt to the UAE and a number of Egyptian officials.

“The diplomacy delegation formed by part of the Egypt’s constitution amending committee will continue its efforts to win further international support for a stronger Egypt and a government by the people for people,” Subahi added.

Mukkaram Mohammed Ahmed, Chairman of Arab Union of Journalists, said the UAE’s backing of the Egyptian people, following the June 30 revolution, heralded a new stage of relations between the two fraternal countries.

“Though the international community failed to come to the support of Egyptian people at a crucial time (the IMF and other organisations denying funds), we know we are not alone all our Arab brothers, particularly the Arabian Gulf nations and UAE stand by us,” he added.

He further thanked the President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE government and people for their support.

Another delegation member, requesting anonymity, said a number of states were involved creating trouble in Egypt by funding the Muslim Brotherhood. “A number of countries are involved in creating these disturbances. For instance a joint conference of Muslim Brotherhood, Taleban and Al Qaeda was held in Lahore, Pakistan,” he said, adding the Muslim Brotherhood has also opened a branch in Pakistan.

“What we want from the international community is to stop funding and supporting the elements that are all out to disturb peace and tranquility in Egypt, a country of great civilisation,” he concluded.

— news@kahleejtimes.com