(AFP PHOTO / LOUISA GOULIAMAKI)
The newly passed constitution “ended the myth of the pharaoh president,” said interim President Adly Mansour.
Mansour, in an interview with state-owned Al-Ahram on Monday, pointed out that there were ways in which the president could be removed as stipulated in articles of the constitution, which passed with 98.1% of voters supporting it.
The interim president, who also discussed upcoming elections, said the new president would need “strong popular support” that would allow him to take “necessary decisions” in various fields that might seem difficult.
He also said that the ousters of two presidents showed that the next elected president would need to “respond the will of the people, which is the source of authority”.
He also praised the role of Minister of Defence Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi during the transitional period, saying that “there is no doubt that Field Marshall Al-Sisi is a tremendous asset and an essential contribution linked to the 30 June Revolution,” adding that it was “natural” to see the rise in the commander-in-chief’s popularity.
Mansour said he doubted that national reconciliation with the Muslim Brotherhood would occur, citing the bombing of the Daqahleya Security Directorate in Mansoura that occurred shortly before the cabinet officially classified the Brotherhood as a terrorist organisation. He added that reconciliation was “possible at first” but was “no longer on the table or acceptable and not popular.”
He also reiterated that he would not “hesitate to take extraordinary measures if necessary” when it came to “preserving security of the country and its citizens”.
“However, I certainly hope the circumstances and developments do not force us to impose necessary extraordinary measures to maintain security and order,” he added.
The president also discussed national security and Egypt’s share of water from the Nile River, saying that giving up shares of water would be a “red line” and that Egypt would not give a “single drop” of its portion of water resources.
Mansour, who was sworn in following former president Mohamed Morsi’s ouster, announced last month that presidential elections would take place before electing a House of Representatives.
Presidential media advisor Ahmed El-Moslimany announced on Monday that Mansour would meet with a group of “youth of the 25 January and 30 June revolutions” at the presidential palace within days to discuss political developments.
Mansour last met with a delegation representing the youth ahead of 25 January last month, when the president said that there would be “no return” to the practices of the Mubarak regime.
