The Salafi Watan Party announced it is withdrawing from the pro-Morsi National Alliance to Support Legitimacy (NASL), in a statement posted on its official Facebook page.
POLITICS
Salafi Watan Party withdraws from pro-Morsi alliance
The Salafi Watan Party announced it is withdrawing from the pro-Morsi National Alliance to Support Legitimacy (NASL), in a statement posted on its official Facebook page. The statement outlined what it described as the repression perpetrated since the ouster of former president Mohamed Morsi, adding that it will continue its “political struggle” in a peaceful manner, from within the ranks of the Egyptian people. [EGYNews (Arabic), 9/17/2014]
Government committee reviews bill to establish new education authority
A new bill has been proposed that would establish a General Authority to Support and Fund Educational Projects. The bill will be reviewed by the education committee, a branch of the legislative reform committee. The draft law includes sixteen articles that would regulate the authority’s work and specify its jurisdiction, funding sources, legal status and selection procedures. The authority would be based in Cairo with branches in other governorates, as needed. Under the umbrella of the ministry of education, it would support and fund educational projects. [Mada Masr, 9/17/2014]
Also of Interest:
Reactions to the presidential statement to Daily News Egypt | DNE
President to announce Egypt’s economic program at UNGA | SIS
Giza governor to be investigated for corruption | Shorouk (Arabic)
Egypt PM creates two committees to “support” bilateral relations with China, Russia | Aswat Masriya (Arabic)
COURTS
‘Cabinet clashes’ trial postponed to September 23; Douma arrives in ambulance
The Cairo Criminal Court postponed on Wednesday the trial of political activist and blogger Ahmed Douma and 268 others over taking part in the “cabinet clashes” which occurred in December 2011. The session was postponed to September 23 after the defense team requested referring the case to a different bench. Osama al-Mahdy, Douma’s lawyer, told Aswat Masriya the request was made due to the bench’s “obstinacy” in meeting the defense team’s requests. Douma, who began a hunger strike in August to protest “inhumane” jail conditions, is in poor health, and there is an ongoing campaign for him to receive appropriate medical care for a serious digestive condition. He arrived in an ambulance car to the court where his trial is being held. Human rights lawyer Khaled Ali submitted a request on Tuesday to the prison warden to transfer Douma to hospital, confirming that the lawyers would cover the expenses. [Aswat Masriya, Ahram Online, 9/17/2014]
Also of Interest:
Reduced sentences for hiding Brotherhood leader Beltagy | Aswat Masriya
Al-Azhar students get four years in jail for illegal protests | Ahram Online, DNE
Egypt’s prosecutor-general releases 116 university students | Ahram Online, Aswat Masriya, DNE
Minya court extends detention of twenty-one Brotherhood members, twenty-four released | Shorouk (Arabic)
ECONOMY
IMF Mission Chief says Egypt needs growth, jobs over economic stability
Egypt needs growth and job creation over economic stability, said Mission Chief of the IMF in Egypt Chris Jarvis during the Euromoney conference. According to Jarvis, there is a “long road” to economic progress, however, the IMF is willing to be a partner for the Egyptian government. [DNE, 9/16/2014]
Also of Interest:
Egypt’s EGPC to buy 65 percent of its oil product imports from UAE | Reuters
UFG to drop Egypt lawsuit if Israel import deal cleared – source | Reuters
Final decision on Nassef Sawiris’ dispute with Tax Authority on October 28: OCI | Aswat Masriya
Cabinet approves tariff law to encourage renewable energy investments | Mada Masr
Egypt finance minister projects 6 percent growth in three years | AP
SOCIETY & MEDIA
Abdel Fattah says release is a conspiracy; Soltan’s family files request with prosecutor
Activist Alaa Abdel Fattah described on Tuesday his temporary release on bail as a “conspiracy” carried out by the authorities. “I don’t deny the fact that my temporary release is a conspiracy like the case with my imprisonment,” Abdel Fattah said. “This applies to all [the other] prisoners,” Abdel Fattah said on his Facebook page. “There are no courts… neither is there justice… there are only plots,” he said. The Cairo Appeal Court is expected to assign a new judge to look into Abdel Fattah’s case after he was released. Meanwhile, Mohamed Soltan’s family has filed a request with the general prosecutor for his release due to his critical health condition. Soltan’s family, lawyer and a representative from the American Embassy were unable to obtain an official report on his current health condition, as he enters his his 234th day on hunger strike. [DNE, Mada Masr, 9/16/2014]
Also of Interest:
Calls for one-day hunger strike in solidarity with those “unjustly detained” | Aswat Masriya
Last bodies recovered from collapsed Egyptian factory | Ahram Online
Supporters, opponents to stage protests during Sisi’s UN debut | Egypt Independent
Brotherhood dub Friday protests “100 days of Sisi rule” | Egypt Independent
AFTE calls for journalists’ release | DNE
Minister refutes reports of damaged pyramid, blames Morsi supporters for rumors | Mada Masr
Seven injured, fourteen arrested in labor protest in Alexandria | Mada Masr
SECURITY
Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis claim bomb that killed six policemen
Egypt’s deadliest terrorist group has claimed the killing of six policemen in a roadside bomb in the Sinai Peninsula, where security forces frequently clash with jihadists. The al-Qaeda-inspired group posted a video late Tuesday on Twitter showing the bombing hours earlier of a security convoy on a road between the North Sinai provincial capital al-Arish and Rafah on the Gaza border. [AFP, Egypt Independent, 9/17/2014]
Also of Interest:
Five suspected militants killed in Egypt’s Sinai | Ahram Online
Security forces defuse bomb near Beni Suef University | EGYNews (Arabic)
Egyptian citizen killed near Tripoli | Ahram Online, Aswat Masriya, DNE
INTERNATIONAL
Egypt summons EU ambassadors over “negative” statement
Egypt summoned on Tuesday European Union (EU) ambassadors commissioned to Cairo in expression of displeasure over the EU’s statement on the situation in the country before the 27th regular session of the United Nations’ Human Rights Council, said an official statement. “Egypt rejects the EU statement that represents a negative message at a time when Egypt is fighting terrorism,” the foreign ministry said. The EU said in its statement earlier on Tuesday that it “continues to be worried about the deteriorating Human Rights situation in Egypt marked by indiscriminate detentions and disproportionate sentencing – including the death penalty.” The EU also called on the government “to fully respect human rights standards, including in the implementation of counter terrorism measures.” [Ahram Online, Aswat Masriya, DNE, 9/17/2014]
Russia, Egypt seal preliminary arms deal worth $3.5 billion: agency
Russia and Egypt have reached a preliminary deal for Cairo to buy arms worth $3.5 billion from Moscow, Interfax news agency quoted the head of a Russian state arms agency as saying on Wednesday. Speaking during an arms trade exhibition in South Africa, the head of the Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation, Alexander Fomin, did not give further details. [Reuters, 9/17/2014]
Egypt’s military focus is at home, not on Islamic State: minister
Egypt’s foreign minister has suggested his country might not provide military assistance to the United States for its battle against the Islamic State militant group, saying the army was focused on the home front. US Secretary of State John Kerry said last week he had won the backing of ten Arab states, including Egypt, for a “coordinated military campaign” against the Islamic State, which has grabbed territory in Syria and Iraq. However, Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry appeared to throw cold water on the possibility of active Egyptian participation, saying, “We did not discuss this and no one asked this of us.” [Reuters, 9/16/2014]
Also of Interest:
Sobhi meets French counterpart to exchange views on regional security | DNE
UAE crown prince in Cairo to meet Sisi | Aswat Masriya (Arabic)