Egypt’s interim government has revoked the permit for a non-governmental organization set up by the Muslim Brotherhood, one day after the State Commissioners Authority recommended the dissolution of the Freedom and Justice party (FJP) – its political wing.

GOVERNMENT & OPPOSITION

Egypt revokes permit for Brotherhood NGO; Judicial authority recommends dissolution of FJP
Egypt’s interim government has revoked the permit for a non-governmental organization set up by the Muslim Brotherhood, with the Cabinet calling on the Ministry of Social Solidarity to remove the Brotherhood from the record of registered associations. Tuesday’s move follows a September 23 court ruling that banned the Brotherhood and its affiliates, and ordered its assets confiscated. The Egyptian State Litigation Authority decided on Monday not to appeal the September 23 court ruling. The court ruling is final and will not be appealed by the state. The panel formed by Egypt’s interim-cabinet to handle the Muslim Brotherhood’s frozen assets also ordered on Tuesday the seizing of the Islamist group’s funds. The decision comes one day after the Muslim Brotherhood appealed the court verdict ordering the seizing of their funds. On Monday, the State Commissioners Authority, a body that advises the government on legal issues, also recommended the dissolution of the Freedom and Justice party (FJP) – the political wing of the Muslim Brotherhood. The FJP’s legal committee said the recommendation to dissolve the party is non-binding to the judiciary. Nonetheless, the party said it expects a decision dissolving the party to be made. The party said they will study the recommendation and respond to it. [AP, Ahram Online, Mada Masr, DNE, Egypt Independent, Tahrir (Arabic), ONA (Arabic), 10/8/2013]

In rare interview, Sisi adds up Morsi’s missteps
In his first interview with a local newspaper, General Commander of the Armed Forces Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi refuted suggestions the army was not supportive of Mohamed Morsi, insisting the ousted president was frequently advised to be more inclusive. Talking to private Egyptian daily Al-Masry Al-Youm, Sisi, who was appointed by Morsi as Minister of Defense replacing Hussein Tantawi in August 2012, said his acceptance of the position did not come as part of a “conspiracy,” as has been widely argued. The Armed Forces chief touched on key moments of the period which saw him rise to the post of defense minister through to the events of June 30, giving him ample room to clarify and defend the steps taken by the army over the past tumultuous months. [Ahram Online, Mada Masr, 10/7/2013]

Also of Interest:
Political forces mark Maspero massacre second anniversary | Ahram Online
Disputes within National Alliance to Support Legitimacy due to unilateral decisions by Muslim Brotherhood | AMAY (Arabic)  

COURTS & CONSTITUTION

Egypt prosecutor general initiates investigation into violence of past two days
Egypt’s Prosecutor General Hisham Barakat ordered on Monday comprehensive investigations into the violence that erupted in Cairo and outside the capital on Sunday. Barakat also ordered investigations into Monday’s attacks in Cairo, Ismailia, and southern Sinai. General prosecution spokesman Ahmed al-Rakib said the prosecution received notification of “terrorist, violent, murderous, and thuggish acts” taking place on Sunday in Cairo during marches in support of ousted president Mohamed Morsi. Meanwhile, the East Alexandria Prosecution on Monday ordered the detention of forty-three Muslim Brotherhood supporters for fifteen days pending investigations for their involvement in clashes that erupted in the city and led to the injury of twenty people. [Ahram Online, Egypt Independent, 10/8/2013]

Also of Interest:
Farmers warn the fifty-member panel not to amend fifty percent quota | Ahram Gate (Arabic)
Egypt requests Interpol arrests Brotherhood’s Mahmoud Ezzat | Ahram Online, Egypt Independent
Egypt constitutional amendments to be completed before Eid: Spokesman | Ahram Online, DNE, Tahrir (Arabic)
Constituent Assembly to write a new constitution that would fit Egypt for many years: Moussa | Tahrir (Arabic)  
Mufti, al-Azhar representatives assert democratic discussions | SIS
Salmawi: 2013 Charter to mark Egypt transition from one era to another | SIS
Moussa: This week important for settling contentious articles in constitution | SIS

ECONOMY

World Bank finances fresh projects with $275 million in Egypt
The World Bank has recently held a number of seminars and meetings with Egyptian officials and has agreed to start implementing three new projects in health insurance, education and social justice sectors worth $275 million. These projects have been approved by Egypt but it have postponed due to the political and security unrest. The World Bank agreed to start implementing health insurance project in the needy regions for medical services, with a cost of  $75 million, said Alaa Hamed, World Bank leader for the project. [Amwal al-Ghad, Ahram Gate (Arabic), Tahrir (Arabic), 10/8/2013]

Gulf states ready to invest in Egypt state projects: Minister
Cairo is hoping to start announcing details of its investment program for this fiscal year later this month and Gulf Arab countries have agreed to provide additional financial support, a senior minister said. Ziad Bahaa-Eldin, deputy prime minister for economic affairs, did not say how much Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates would contribute but it would be in addition to the $12 billion that they agreed to give Cairo in aid after the army ousted Islamist president Mohamed Morsi on July 3. Egypt’s cabinet has flagged a EGP 120 billion investment program for the fiscal year through June 2014. [Reuters, 10/7/2013]

Also of Interest:
Egypt plans industrial hub in poor Southern provinces | Reuters
Egypt to plant one million olive trees in Sinai: Minister | Ahram Online
Egypt stocks hit three month high on Monday despite violence | Ahram Online, SIS
Egypt will launch tenders for Airport City in 2014: Minister tells Reuters | Ahram Online
Federation of Egyptian Industries discusses minimum wages within the private sector | DNE
CBE Governor: Economy moves in right direction | SIS

SOCIETY & MEDIA

Tamarod to participate in upcoming parliamentary elections
Tamarod has announced its intention to participate in the upcoming parliamentary elections. At a press conference on Tuesday, founding member Mohamed Heikal also announced that the group will form a committee to supervise elections, headed by its members Hassan Shaheen, Mohamed Nabawy, Mohamed Heikal, Sarah Arafat, Khaled al-Qady and Sherif Helal. [Shorouk (Arabic), Ahram Gate (Arabic), Ahram Online, Tahrir (Arabic), 10/8/2013]

To ‘heal rift in society,’ minister imposing stricter regulations on mosques, imams
The Endowments Ministry has launched an effort to register all mosques across the nation, and coordinate with Al-Azhar to oversee imams and their Friday sermons, in order to “mend the rift in society,” reported the state-run Middle East News Agency on Monday. Minister of Endowments, Mohamed Mokhtar, said in an interview on the privately-owned channel Al-Hayat that the ministry is succeeding in controlling religious discourse. He added that the ministry would “set a framework for Friday sermons.” The framework would be distributed to imams and be based on “morality and peaceful coexistence,” the state-owned daily Al-Ahram reported. Meanwhile, a dozen members of the Students Against the Coup movement staged protests in Beni Suef on Monday against a decision to restrict Friday prayers. [Mada Masr, Egypt Independent, 10/8/2013]

Also of Interest:

SECURITY

Egypt death toll on war anniversary climbs to fifty-seven; Most casualties killed with live fire
The death toll from nationwide clashes on Sunday’s October War anniversary has climbed to fifty-seven, Egypt’s health ministry said on Tuesday, while 393 others were wounded in the violence. A forensic source has said that thirty-nine people were killed by live ammunition and two by cartridges in the clashes between supporters of deposed President Mohamed Morsi and security forces on Sunday. [Ahram Online, Egypt Independent, 10/8/2013]

One conscript dead, another injured in Port Said armed attack
A police conscript was killed and another injured on Tuesday in a drive-by armed attack by unknown assailants on a motorcycle in the Suez Canal city of Port Said. The slain 21-year-old Mohamed Shaaban was shot in the stomach, while the injured Mohamed al-Shahat was shot in the arm and transferred to the Port Said Military Hospital. Joint troops of military and police are combing the area surrounding the customs check, al-Zohour district and the shanty town of Ezbet Abu Ouf, which is near from the customs check, to arrest the criminals. [Ahram Online, DNE, Egypt Independent, Aswat Masriya, 10/8/2013]

Also of Interest:
Cairo airport declares state of emergency after Monday attacks | Ahram Online, Mada Masr
Airport authorities seize arms, money with Egyptians coming from Doha | Egypt Independent
Army and police forces storm Suez village | Shorouk (Arabic)
Suicide bombing by Thai citizen in front of South Sinai security directorate: Ministry of Interior | Shorouk (Arabic)
Democracy Index: 311 incidents of violence from September until October sixth | AMAY (Arabic)
Interior Minister to reveal identity of suspected assassins soon | Egypt Independent
Police close al-Nahda Square to Brotherhood student protests | Egypt Independent
Egypt considers security cameras at tourist sites | Reuters

REGIONAL & INTERNATIONAL

Mansour embarks on first international trip to Jordan and Saudi Arabia
Interim President Adly Mansour arrived to Saudi Arabia on Monday, marking his first overseas visit since being appointed in July. During his meeting with King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, Mansour expressed sincerest thanks and appreciation of Egypt, government and people for the supportive Saudi stance regarding Egypt’s political and economic situation. The Saudi Monarch renewed Saudi support for Egypt in its efforts to combat terrorism and against interference in Egypt’s domestic affairs. Following his visit to Saudi Arabia, President Mansour traveled to Jordan. In a meeting with Jordan’s King Abdullah II, he discussed Syria, Palestine and economic ties on Tuesday, Al-Ahram reported. Jordan has also expressed its support for the interim government, and made a statement rejecting any foreign intervention in Egyptian affairs. [DNE, AP, Aswat Masriya, Mada Masr, 10/8/2013]

Turkey calls on Egypt to release ‘political detainees’
Turkey condemned the killing of civilians during the October 6 protests staged in Egyptian cities and called on Egypt to release all political detainees. The Turkish Foreign Ministry on Monday called on all parties to the political process in Egypt to act responsibly during the current difficult period through which Egypt is going, Turkish Anadolu News Agency reported. The statement also called on Egyptian authorities to release all political detainees as soon as possible and to start restoring democracy without excluding any faction. It also called for respecting personal freedoms and the basic rights of citizens and political parties. [Egypt Independent, 10/8/2013]

Also of Interest:
Qatari prosecutor general in Cairo to discuss judicial cooperation | Egypt Independent
Rafah border crossing to be opened for five days, says Palestinian embassy | Egypt Independent