News Coverage prepared for: The European Union delegation to Egypt . Disclaimer: “This document has been produced with the financial assistance of the European Union. The contents of this document are the sole responsibility of authors of articles and under no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of IPSOS or the European Union.” 1 . Thematic Headlines Domestic Scene Security Source Denies Bid on Saudi Envoy’s Life Made Electoral Campaigns Violations to Be Referred to HPEC Ganzouri: I’d Resign If Cabinet Reshuffle Took Place Shafiq Takes Lead in Presidential Campaign More MPs Refuse Vote of Censure against Government Weapons Found with Defense Ministry Sitter-Ins The Government Crisis Police Protests Escalate Al-Ahram Updates on Presidential Campaigns The Revolution Youth Coalition Supports Abu al-Futouh A demonstration Calling for the Return of the Saudi Ambassador An Interview with Hamadain Sabahi Presidential Elections Observers Islamic Mediation between Abu al-Futouh and Islamic Powers Police Officers Give the Minatory a Grace Shurouk Updates on Presidential Race Regional Development Israel Must Be Prepared for Future Confrontation with Egypt, Says Ex-Defense Minister 2 Newspapers (02/05/2012) Pages: 1 Author: Raja Leilah and Nasr Zaalouk A demonstration Calling for the Return of the Saudi Ambassador An official source denied what was reported by the London-based al-Haya newspapers about an alleged assassination attempt against the Saudi Ambassador to Egypt Ahmad Qattan in Cairo. While investigations continue in the case of the Egyptian national Ahmad al-Gizawi who is facing charges of drugs dealing in Saudi Arabia, dozens of Egyptians and political activists demonstrated in front of the Saudi Embassy in Cairo calling for the return of the Saudi Ambassador. Dr. Hussein al-Sharif, head of the National Association for Human Rights in Mecca declared that the association assigned a Saudi lawyer to defend al-Gizawi. In the same context, Egypt’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia returned to Riyadh yesterday after a few-day “vacation” in Cairo. 3 Pages: 1, 4, 5, 6 Author: Mamdouh Shaaban, Sahar Zahran and Amani Maged The Government Crisis Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi meets today leaders of the political parties to discuss the Constituent Assembly crisis and the crisis between the government and the parliament. While the Muslim Brotherhood presidential candidate Muhammad Mursi asserted the “need” to dismiss al-Ganzouri government other political players and parties’ leaders rejected the calls, supporting al-Ganzouri’s government until the end of the transitional period, asserting their rejection of Speaker of the people’s Assembly Saad al-Katatni’s decision to suspend the People’s Assembly sessions. The suspension was considered to be a reflection of the escalation of the conflict between the Muslim Brotherhood and SCAF. In a related context, Prime Minister Kamal al-Ganzouri met MPs in Qalyoubiuyah governorate in the absence of the Freedom and Justice MPs there. Minister of Planning and International Cooperation denied news about a governmental change, stating that whoever gives declarations in this response is responsible for their declarations. Dr. Rifaat al-Said, head of al-Tajammu Party attributed the government crisis to the Muslim Brotherhood rush to dominate the authority and take over the government. Al-said stated that the Muslim Brotherhood wanted to hinder the drafting of the constitution to guarantee an Islamist president before the finalization of the constitution. Abd al-Ghaffar Shukr deputy founder of al-Tahaluf al-Shabi [the public alliance] Party called to keep the government until a president is elected, alluding to an agreement between al- Wafd party sand Salafist al-Nour Party in the Parliament to limit the role of the Muslim Brotherhood. Presidential Candidate Abu al-Izz al-Hariri asserted that SCAF was the only executive authority that has the right to withdraw confidence from the government. Al-Hariri rejected the suspension decision, arguing that a Parliament decision should be taken after open discussion, which did not happen in this case. Dr. Muhammad Abu al-Ghar, deputy founder of al-Masry al-Dimuqrati al-Ishtiraki [Socialist Democratic Egyptian] Party said people were the victim of the government’s and the Parliament’s comportments, saying that there was no need to create any crises nowadays because the government was going to continue until the end of the transitional period. 4 Pages: 3 Author: Hajar Salah and others Police Protests Escalate The authors report on an escalation in the protests organized by a number of police officers in front of the Ministry of Interior in Cairo and other Egyptian governorates. Policemen have been staging a sit-in for four days. In Giza the police withdrew the officers from the metro station and closed 8 police stations out of 25 stations in Cairo. The closed police stations were in Maadi, Hilwan, Manshyet Nasir, al-Dhahir, Nasr City, al-Salam I, Dar al- Salam and Old Cairo. The General Union for Policemen and Police Officers signed a communiqué calling for dismissing the Minister of Interior Gen Muhammad Ibrahim and his assistants and assigning a civil minister. They also called to dismiss the Supreme Police Council and to stop military trials. The protesting police officers also called the parliament to pass the amendments to the police law. Head of the Union Ahmad al-Hilbaw threatened of escalation if the demands were not met. The communiqué, however, expressed the protesters’ respect to SCAF. In Upper Egyptian Sohag, protesting police officers paralyzed the trains from Aswan to Cairo for eight hours. In Lower Egyptian al-Mansourah, protesting police officers asserted that their sit-in would continue until the People’s Assembly passes the amendments to the police law. 5 Pages: 4-5 Author: many authors Al-Ahram Updates on Presidential Campaigns In a presidential conference in Upper Egyptian Minia promised people of making Egypt a strong nation where citizenship rules and people own the power. Mussa also promised that Upper Egypt would be the starting points for reform his platform if he was elected president. He also promised to end the state of disorder. Mussa was received by his advocates in Upper Egyptian while some of his opponents organized a demonstration against him. In Alexandria presidential candidate Abd al-Munim Abu al-Futouh was cheerfully welcomed by a large public. Abu al-Futouh promised to launch a new revolution in case of any rigging or forgery in the presidential elections. The High Presidential Elections Commission reiterated its neutralism and asserted that all violation would be punished. Salafist al-Haiaah al-Shariyah [the legislature Body] declared in a public conference in Giza that the role of the coming president was to protect Islam and rule with Shariaa. Al-Ahram reported on Washington Post’s statements that Egypt was manipulating about democracy and NGOs were benefiting from the donated money. Al-Ahram also published an interview with the Muslim Brotherhood’s presidential candidate Muhammad Mursi. In his conference in Old Cairo, Musri was received by chanted slogans against the Muslim Brotherhood. 6 Pages: 4 Author: not mentioned The Revolution Youth Coalition Supports Abu al-Futouh The Revolution Youth Coalition announced supporting Abu al-Futouh in the presidential race. The coalition spokesman Muhammad al-Qassas officially declared that the coalition supported Abu al-Futouh. A number of the coalition parties had previously separately declared their support to Abu al-Futouh. 7 Pages: 6-7 Author: - An Interview with Hamadain Sabahi Gomhouriyah conducted a lengthy interview with Presidential Candidates Hamadain Sabbahi. The following points were highlighted: Sabbahi believes that his work in social life and his social condition give credibility to his argument about social justice. He mentioned that his protocol indicated five projects to be executed in remote areas like Sinai, Nuba, the New Valley, the West North Coast, the Nile Valley and the Delta. Sabbahi stressed that the development of Sinai was a strategic need for Egypt’s National Security. Sabbahi also advocates increasing the minimum wage to fight corruption and bribery. Sabbahi referred to a mechanism that can, if adopted, end corruption in 180 days. Sabbahi would give governors six month-grace to get rid of thieves and corrupted people or be dismissed. About the Armed forces, Sabbahi said that they were the most qualified to head the Minister of Defense, rejecting some calls to assign a civilian as a minster of defense. Sabbahi reiterated all Egyptians’ respect to the Armed Forces. He also stated that the Army’s budget should be subject to the authorities of the People’s Assembly in a special committee. Furthermore, Sabbahi advocates justice in dealing with SCAF by bringing the guilty into account and honoring the descent. With regards to Israel and the Camp David treaty, Sabbahi would not cancel the treaty or launch a war against Israel if he became president. Sabbahi also advocates a presidential team that includes Abd al-Munim Abu al-Futouh, Abu al-Izz al-Harir, Hicham al-Bastawisi, a representative of Copts, a representative of women and a representative of the youth. 8 Page: 1 Author: Ahmed Hassan and Tareq Roshdi Ganzouri: I’d Resign If Cabinet Reshuffle Took Place Prime Minister Kamal el-Ganzouri had said any reshuffle in his cabinet would mean his resignation, well-informed sources in the cabinet said. Ganzouri has been shunning pressures by the lower house of parliament to resign, the sources said. On the other hand, Speaker of the People’s Assembly Saad el-Katani, who decided to suspend parliamentary sessions for a week after Ganzouri rejected to resign, is facing from pressure from the MPs. The MPs, especially those of Al-Wafd and Al-Nour parties and liberals, have rejected the suspension decision taken without their consent. 9 Page: 1 Author: Not mentioned Security Source Denies Bid on Saudi Envoy’s Life Made A security source denied media reports carried by Al-Hayat newspaper that an assassination attempt was made on the life on Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador in Cairo Ahmed al- Qattan.