Saad Eddin Ibrahim has issued a statement through his Ibn Khaldun Center website “clarifying” his position on the succession following extensive criticism in opposition circles of his signing the proxy for Gamal Mubarak. It includes the following (emphasis is in the original):
While I uphold the right of all Egyptian citizens to run for office, I have also made known my own personal preferences in terms of the currently announced and widely speculated potential candidates for the office of President. I have clearly stated my personal preference for Dr. Muhammad El-Baradei, as I believe he is the person most capable of leading the transition to democracy in Egypt. He is followed in this respect by Dr. Ayman Nour and others. Gamal Mubarak, however, is not on my own personal list of preferred candidates.
I’m not sure this will dampen the controversy, but it is fairly clear.
Go to Source
Now posters are appearing in Cairo promoting ‘Omar Suleiman for President. You’ll recall that as long ago as last summer, a website sprung up promoting the idea.
The “anonymous” group prmoting Suleiman remain a matter fof speculation: are they just anti-Gamal, or is there some genuine effort by the army or the security services to influence the succession? The fact that Suleiman still has his job suggests either that he’s not behind it, or that the regime may not be as committed to the Gamal succession as most people think. I suspect the former.
The idea of Suleiman as a transitional figure probably appeals to some in the US government as well, but it’s hard to see a career intelligence man as a democratizing figure. (Though to be fair, General Intelligence has a far better reputation than State Security, which is under Interior Minister Habib al-‘Adly and is the really feared agency.)
Go to Source
AFP – The Palestinian Authority and Christian leaders on Thursday signed an accord to repair the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem on the traditional site of Jesus’s birth.
Go to Source
AP – To relaunch Middle East peace talks on Thursday, the Israeli and Palestinian leaders and their American mediators quietly agreed to push aside the question of Hamas — the Islamic militant group that controls one of the two Palestinian territories and rejects negotiations.
Go to Source
More than 6,000 children took part in a month-long workshop on astronomy that was organised in Abu Dhabi to encourage youngsters to learn science.
Go to Source
The US Secretary of State tells the Israeli and Palestinian leaders they have the “opportunity to end this conflict” as direct peace talks begin.
Go to Source
Posters promoting Egypt’s intelligence chief appear on the streets of Cairo, amid growing speculation over who will succeed President Hosni Mubarak.
Go to Source
Reuters – Hamas said on Thursday its militants would keep on attacking Israelis and denounced peace talks between Israel and the West Bank-based Palestinian government due to start in Washington later in the day.
Go to Source
Time.com – For President Obama’s Middle East special envoy, George Mitchell, it has taken 18 months to get the Israelis and the Palestinians to sit down for peace-process talks. Even if they go well, will he finally get credit?
Go to Source
As a US-brokered Middle East peace summit got underway here, US President Barack Obama urged Israeli and Palestinian leaders to seize the 'moment of opportunity' as such a chance may not come again soon.
Go to Source
Reader Reactions