Egypt: Ending Emergency Law; Concerns on Anti-Americanism

Egyptian cabinet spokesman Mohamed Hegazy announced today that “the government has decided to end the state of emergency in coordination with the military council.” This process will end the 30 year old emergency laws put in place by former President Hosni Mubarak.

U.S. State Department Spokesperson Victoria Nuland expressed concern about the rising tide of anti-Americanism throughout Egypt. Nuland said, “with regard to this kind of anti-Americanism that’s creeping into the Egyptian public discourse, we are concerned. We have expressed these concerns to the Egyptian Government. We think this kind of representation of the United States is not only inaccurate; it’s unfair. We are very strong supporters of Egypt’s transition to a democratic future, and we will continue to be there for Egypt. With regard to the personal attacks on Ambassador [Anne] Patterson, they are unacceptable…she is in Egypt to represent U.S. policy and the American people’s aspiration to support a strong, democratic, prosperous Egypt.”

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton raised the issue of anti-Americanism with the new Egyptian intelligence chief, Maj. Gen. Murad Muwafi in late July. However, anti-Americanism has continued to rise. Maj. Gen. Mohammed al-Assar, a member of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) criticized U.S. funding to NGO’s saying that all funding should be scrutinized by Egyptian authorities before being dispersed.