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Response from the Egyptian civilian administration …
Egyptian govt rejects McCain’s ‘clumsy’ statements on Morsi’s ouster
CAIRO (Ahram Online) – An Egyptian presidential aide rejected statements by US Senator John McCain describing the popularly-backed military overthrow of Mohamed Morsi as a coup d’etat.
“John McCain is distorting facts. His clumsy statements are unacceptable in form and substance,” presidential aide Ahmed El-Muslimani told Ahram Arabic website Monday evening.
McCain, who made the comments at a press conference in Cairo on Monday, is the first US official visiting Egypt to refer to the removal of Morsi as a military coup. Secretary of State John Kerry said last week that the Egyptian army had “restored democracy” and averted civil war by deposing the Islamist president.
A source from Egypt’s foreign ministry told state news agency MENA that Egypt’s interim foreign minister Nabil Fahmy was dismayed at McCain’s statements and that the ministry is preparing an official response.
US Senators John McCain and Lindsay Graham visited Egypt to take part in mediation efforts between Egypt’s political rivals following Morsi’s ouster.
McCain expressed concerns during a news conference in Cairo earlier on Monday over the country’s political process, saying the US “cannot support Egypt that is not moving to a democracy.” McCain also urged that senior Brotherhood figures who have been detained since the 3 July ouster of Morsi be released.
Deputy Secretary William Burns’ Travel to Cairo
(Daily News Egypt) – Nader Bakkar, spokesman for the Salafi Al-Nour Party said that his party received a “request from the honourable Anne Patterson to meet with Deputy Secretary Burns.” He denied that the party rejected the invitation but instead “apologised for not attending.”
Tamarod announced that it had rejected an invitation to meet with Burns in a press conference on Monday. Spokesman for the `rebellion’ group claimed the reason for not meeting with Burns is because the US was one country that promoted the situation as a military coup, adding that even before the demonstrations his group believed that the US supported the Brotherhood.
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Foreign politicians ‘exceed international norms’: Presidency
(Daily News Egypt) – The presidency’s media adviser has criticised the influx of foreign politicians to Cairo over the last week, saying it “exceeds international norms”.
Ahmed El-Moslimany‘s remarks to state-run news agency MENA came a day after the arrival of United States senators John McCain and Lindsey Graham, joining representatives from the US, the European Union and Gulf countries, who have extended their visits.
The political stalemate in Egypt has prompted a number of foreign visitors to Cairo to attempt to hold meetings with all the major political stakeholders, including members of the spurned Muslim Brotherhood. El-Moslimany stressed on Tuesday: “Egypt is able to protect the revolution and the state.” The presidency’s media adviser’s statement contradicts the stance of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which has repeatedly said foreign diplomats are welcome to visit Egypt and present ideas, as long as the decision moving forward is made by the Egyptian people.
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Mohamed Elbaradei meeting with US senators John McCain and Lindsey Graham and U.S. Ambassador to Egypt Anne Patterson in Cairo, Egypt. (AP Photo/Egyptian Presidency)Founder of the Tamarod or ‘Rebellion’ movement Mahmoud Badr, however, rejected a meeting with McCain. Badr confirmed his group’s refusal via social media on Monday night. He said: “We are tired of the large number of foreign visitors to Egypt and call on the international community to leave the Egyptian people alone to decide Egypt’s fate and choices.”
US senators urge release of Islamists, Egypt unhappy with ‘foreign pressure’
