News Update: November 18, 2011

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Tens of thousands of protesters converged on Tahrir Square for an Islamist-dominated rally to demand an end to military rule and condemn the supra-constitutional principles proposed by Deputy Prime Minister Ali al-Selmi. The vast majority of protesters appeared to be Islamists, many of whom were transported to the square from other governorates in buses sponsored by the Brotherhood and Salafi groups. Meanwhile, state television reported that Prime Minister Essam Sharaf has decided to defer issuing constitutional principles until after parliamentary elections, and will conduct meetings with political groups to reach an agreement on the text of the document. 

PROTESTS:

Tens of thousands of protesters converged on Tahrir Square for an Islamist-dominated rally to demand an end to military rule and condemn the supra-constitutional principles proposed by Deputy Prime Minister Ali al-Selmi. In addition to the Muslim Brotherhood and its Freedom and Justice Party, groups backing the demonstration include the Salafi Nour Party, the Revolutionary Youth Coalition, the April 6 Youth Movement, Wasat, al-Ghad, and the Adl Party. Parties boycotting the protest include Tagammu’ the Free Egyptians Party, the Wafd, and the Communist Party.  The vast majority of protesters appeared to be Islamists, many of whom were transported to the square from other governorates in buses sponsored by the Brotherhood and Salafi groups. Several stages were assembled in the square and Salafi parties and Salafists used their platform to denounce liberals and secularists; meanwhile, Tarek al-Zomar, a member of al-Gama’a al-Islamiyya who has been accused of plotting Sadat’s assassination spoke from the Brotherhood’s stage, saying he is prepared to martyr himself in support of the Revolution’s objectives.  Protester chanted religious slogans such as “the Quran is our constitution” and Sheikh Mazhar Shahin delivered a Friday sermon calling for a transfer of power to civilian leadership no later than May 2012. [Al-Ahram, English, 11/18/2011] [Al-Ahram, English, 11/18/2011]

Five presidential candidates joined protesters in Tahrir Square on November 18: Islamists candidates Salah Abu Ismail, Mohamed Selim al-Awaa, and Abdel Moneim Aboul Fotouh along with Ayman Nour and Egypt’s first female presidential candidate Bothaina Kamel.  Fellow presidential candidates Mohamed ElBaradei, Amr Moussa, and Hamdeen Sabahi were conspicuously absent from the demonstration.  [Al-Youm al-Saba’a, Arabic, 11/18/2011]

Islamist presidential candidate Mohamed Selim al-Awaa delivered a speech to protesters in Tahrir Square calling on the Brotherhood, Salafists and all other political forces remain united and condemning the draft supra-constitutional principles. [Al-Ahram, English, 11/18/2011]

CONSTITUTIONAL DEBATE:

State television reported that Prime Minister Essam Sharaf has decided to defer issuing constitutional principles until after parliamentary elections, and will conduct meetings with political groups to reach an agreement on the text of the document. [Al-Youm al-Saba’a, Arabic, 11/18/2011]

Several leading intellectuals and political forces have drafted a memorandum that outlines a new transition plan that differs radically from the roadmap put forward by the military. The document, obtained by al-Masry al-Youm, recommends postponing parliamentary elections and forming a “national rescue cabinet.” Parliamentary elections would be postponed until after Egyptians have elected a constituent assembly tasked with writing a new constitution and the presidential election is held. Authors of the memorandum, including presidential candidate Mohamed ElBaradei, Osama al-Ghazaly Harb (Democratic Front Party president), NAC coordinator Abdel Galil Mostafa, writer Alaa al-Aswany and the prominent journalist Sakina Fouad, plan to submit the document to the SCAF within days. [Al-Masry al-Youm, English, 11/18/2011]

Egyptian sheikh Yousef al-Qaradawi gave a speech in Qatar after Friday prayers emphasizing the importance of prompt presidential elections and rejecting the supra-constitutional principles. Al-Qaradawi said that only parliament should have authority over the constitution-writing process. [Al-Ahram, English, 11/18/2011]

SECTARIANISM:

At least 29 people were injured on November 17 during a march to commemorate the 40-day anniversary of the Maspero clashes after unidentified assailants attacked a group of primarily Coptic protesters marching through Cairo’s Shubra district. Police resorted to tear gas to prevent the confrontation from escalating. Some source reported that the attackers were Salafis. [Al-Ahram, English, 11/17/2011]

ELECTIONS:

The High Electoral Commission released the final list of candidates for both the PR and individual seats in the first round of elections. The commission also announced that 255,000Egyptian expatriates have registered to vote abroad. [Al-Masry al-Youm, Arabic, 11/18/2011]

The Brotherhood’s Freedom and Justice Party (FJP) is seeking campaign advice from Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).  Leading members of the FJP and AKP in Cairo on November 15 to discuss tactics and voter outreach strategies for the upcoming elections. [Al-Masry al-Youm, English, 11/18/2011]

ECONOMY:

Finance Minister Hazem al-Beblawi said that Egypt plans to accept a previously rejected IMF loan of around $3 billion to diversify its debt and decrease its dependence on domestic borrowing. Egypt’s budget deficit is expected to reach 8.6 percent of GDP in fiscal year 2011-2012. [AFP, English, 11/18/2011] [Al-Masry al-Youm, English, 11/18/2011]

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