Egyptian President Morsi Condemns “Oppressive” Syrian Regime

Photo Credit: Raouf Mohseni/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

At the August 29 meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement in Tehran, Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi called on its members to support the Syrian rebels in their uprising against President Bashar al-Assad‘s regime. “Our solidarity with the struggle of the Syrian people against an oppressive regime that has lost its legitimacy is an ethical duty, as it is a political and strategic necessity,” he said. Morsi’s comments prompted a walkout by the Syrian delegation to the conference and a response by Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem stating, “[Mr. Morsi's speech] incites continued bloodshed in Syria.”

Meanwhile, several Egyptian activist groups marched from the stock market  in Cairo to the cabinet headquarters in protest of the proposed IMF loan. They chanted, “We will not be ruled by the IMF,” voicing their opposition to a move perceived as a threat to their independence. Additionally, other activists called attention to the incarceration of civilian protesters in military prisons. They are urging the president to either release more prisoners, or to expedite their cases in civilian courts. ” It is shameful that President Morsi, who rose to power because of these civilians’ struggle and the time they are spending in jail, is sitting in his palace eating with his family, while we have no clue what has become of the people inside those prisons,” commented activist Ahmed Domma.

In other news, Egyptian authorities issued a statement saying that they would detain former presidential candidate and Mubarak prime minister Ahmed Shafiq should he return to the country. He is wanted for questioning regarding allegations of corruption during his time as chief of the Young Air Force Officers Association. Finally, Mohamed el-Baradei‘s Constitution Party officially submitted its registration papers to the Political Party Affairs Committee for approval.  The party’s supporters hope that it will serve as a counterbalance to the Islamists and as a representative model for liberals and moderates.