CAIRO: President Hosni Mubarak lashed out at coverage of Cairo street protests in which more than 600 Egyptians were beaten and arrested, calling the rallies evidence of democracy and coverage of them libel and blasphemy, in remarks published Tuesday.
Continuation (of the protests) is evidence of democracy, Mubarak said in an interview with the state-owned Al-Gomhuria, adding that he was surprised by some media coverage.
For the past three weeks, international media have shown footage of young activists being beaten in downtown Cairo in broad daylight by plainclothes police. More than 600 people were arrested, mostly members of the banned Muslim Brotherhood, but also secular pro-democracy activists.
Protesters were rallying in support of two reformist judges disciplined for blowing the whistle on electoral fraud. The United States openly criticized Mubarak s handling of the protests.
Mubarak accused his opponents, including some journalists, of having mean intentions and wanting to achieve personal benefits in their coverage of the protests.
Most of what they are writing could be punished according to the law, because it is libel and blasphemy, he said, adding that he supports freedom of the press and thus has not cracked down on such coverage.
If they think that what they are doing is an expression of their freedom, they should remember who gave them this chance, and who is insisting on its continuity, he added.
Mubarak said his policy toward the banned Muslim Brotherhood was unfairly characterized as harsh.
Mubarak, and no one else, has allowed their entrance into the parliament as the biggest opposition block, although he could have prohibited them if he wanted, he said, speaking about himself in the third person.
Outlawed since 1954, the Brotherhood is tolerated in Egypt within limits. Its candidates, fielded as independents, won 88 seats in the 454-member parliament in elections late last year.
Mubarak also said the success of the World Economic Forum, which ended Monday in the Egyptian resort city of Sharm El-Sheikh, was proof that the international community had faith in Egypt s economy. We are on the right path, the 78-year-old leader said. AP
