(AFP Photo)
By Kanzy Mahmoud
Egypt’s transitional government must hold early and fair presidential elections and fulfill the demands of the country’s various constituencies, the international community has urged since the ouster of former president Mohamed Morsi on Wednesday.
US Representative Ed Royce, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Representative Eliot Engel, the committee’s ranking member, released a joint statement Friday saying that the ouster of Morsi is part of an “incomplete revolution”.
The Muslim Brotherhood did not understand the meaning of democracy as they have failed to embrace the principles of “inclusiveness, compromise, respect for human and minority rights and a commitment to the rule of law,” read the statement, adding that democracy requires more than holding elections.
The US representatives asked the Egyptian military to ensure the transitional government rules transparently and includes “a broad cross-section of Egyptians” in rewriting the constitution. They also stressed the need for all Egyptian parties to prevent and refrain from violence.
Austrian President Heinz Fischer also released a statement Saturday describing the armed forces’ decision to remove the president as an “important step” in guaranteeing the people’s safety, a statement similar to that made by German President Joachim Gauck Saturday afternoon. Fischer added that his country supports the democratic process in Egypt, reported state-run Al-Ahram.
According to Al-Ahram, founder of Al-Dostour Party Mohamed El-Baradei told Fischer over telephone that early presidential elections are expected to take place at the beginning of next year and emphasised the importance of Brotherhood representatives participating in the “political dialogue”.
El-Baradei added that it is important to resolve Egypt’s economic and social problems, as they were a large impetus for many Egyptians having taken to the streets in protest.
Malaysian Prime Minister Naguib Abdel Razik made similar comments, stating Saturday that Morsi’s government was not able to effectively manage the transition, leading to an “increase in product prices and unemployment and the decline of the tourism industry.”
A new government should be formed soon, reflecting the people’ demands, said Abdel Razik, adding that “the recent incidents the Egyptian political scene is witnessing are Egypt’s internal affairs, in which no one has the right to interfere.”
