Top News: Morsy Issues General Amnesty for Revolution-Related Crimes, Egypt Remembers Maspero Clashes on Tuesday
ByEgypt Source
On Monday President Mohamed Morsy issued a mass pardon for all those accused or found guilty of crimes pertaining to the events of the 25 January revolution — with some exceptions. The decision to issue general amnesty was based on the recommendation of Morsy’s military trial review committee.
GOVERNMENT & OPPOSITION
Morsy issues general amnesty for revolution-related crimes On Monday President Mohamed Morsy issued a mass pardon for all those accused or found guilty of crimes pertaining to the events of the 25 January revolution — with some exceptions. The decision to issue general amnesty was based on the recommendation of Morsy’s military trial review committee. However, the amnesty only applies to those who were charged in between 25 January 2011 and 30 June 2012, when Morsy took office. Click here for English text of decree. [Egypt Independent, Ahram Online, 10/8/2012]
Islamist parties split over election system Tensions are growing between the Salafi Nour Party and the Muslim Brotherhood’s Freedom and Justice Party as the two groups dispute which voting system to adopt for the upcoming parliamentary election. While the Nour Party has allied itself with liberal groups that support a list-based candidacy system, the FJP is calling for single-seat nominations. [Egypt Independent, 10/8/2012]
Salafis launch new political party The Salafi Front announced Tuesday that it intends to officially establish a new political party that would represent its views and orientations. The group’s spokesperson, Khaled Saeed, said in statements Monday that its members are finishing procedures for the official establishment of the People’s Party, which is the name the front has settled on. [Egypt Independent, 10/8/2012]
Also of interest:
Nour Party crisis ends, Abdel Ghafour president until Thursday | Egypt Independent
Egyptian president granted ‘half’ his powers in new constitution | Egypt Independent
Constitution Party to compete for third of seats in Parliament, Islamists consider alliances | Egypt Independent
Morsymeter: 58 percent of Egyptians not satisfied with Morsy | Egypt Independent
Sacking of Egypt’s top administrative watchdog comes as ‘surprise’ | Ahram Online
COURTS & CONSTITUTION
First draft of Egypt’s constitution to be revealed Wednesday The first complete draft of Egypt’s new constitution will be revealed to the public on Wednesday, kicking off a campaign aimed at raising awareness and soliciting feedback on the country’s first post-Mubarak charter. The Constituent Assembly will present the new draft of the constitution at a press briefing tomorrow afternoon. It will simultaneously launch the ‘Know Your Constitution’ campaign, lasting several weeks and promoting public discussion of the charter ahead of a national referendum. [Ahram Online, 10/9/2012]
Another lawsuit filed against Constituent Assembly Fifty advisors from the administrative prosecution’s office have filed suit against the Constituent Assembly, demanding that its work be suspended and that the legislation regarding its formation be annulled. According to a state TV website, the lawsuit was filed on Monday before the State Council’s Supreme Administrative Court. It cites President Mohamed Morsy, Prime Minister Hesham Qandil and assembly chairman Hossam Gheriany. [Egypt Independent, 10/8/2012]
Brotherhood leader: Final voting on constitution to begin next week Muslim Brotherhood leader and Constituent Assembly member Sobhi Saleh said that the assembly’s final voting on the draft constitution will begin next week, paving the way for the final document to be ready in mid-November. The constitution will be presented to committees of experts before the president issues a decree to put it up for a popular referendum. [Egypt Independent, 10/7/2012]
Two Brotherhood leaders absent from trial over court ‘insult’ | Egypt Independent
Egypt draft constitution fails to protect key human rights: HRW | AFP/Ahram Online
NDP offshoots campaign against Egypt’s constitution | Ahram Online
ECONOMY
Qandil hopes for IMF agreement by end of October Prime Minister Hesham Qandil said on Tuesday that Egypt would invite the International Monetary Fund to visit for talks about a loan at the end of October and said he hoped to reach an agreement "by that time." Finance Minister Momtaz al-Saeed echoed Qandil’s sentiments, adding that he hoped a deal would be reached within two weeks of the visit. [Egypt Independent, Ahram Online, 10/9/2012]
Central Bank sources: Foreign banks seek to buy Egyptian banks The Central Bank of Egypt has received several requests from foreign banks to buy out BNP Paribas and French Societe Generale Group’s share in National Societe General Bank, a Central Bank source told Al-Masry Al-Youm. The source, who asked not to be named, said the Central Bank had not received any requests for new operation licenses, but rather buyout proposals, adding that the Central Bank remains reluctant to issue further banking licenses for the current period. [Egypt Independent, 10/8/2012]
Also of interest:
Subsidies for 95 octane fuel to be lifted soon, says Petroleum Ministry source | Egypt Independent
Egypt to respect renationalisation, cut poverty 20 pct: Minister | Ahram Online
Egypt reserves slightly drop to $15.04 bn in September | Ahram Online
SECURITY & SINAI
Egypt Mulls Arming Sinai Bedouin Security Force In Egypt’s restive Sinai, Bedouin leaders are pushing to take matters in their own hands and urging the government to arm their tribesmen by creating a local security force in the peninsula, where the state is struggling to impose its authority and uproot Islamic militants who have attacked Egyptian troops and neighboring Israel. But the proposal, which the government says it is considering, raises fears that the Bedouin could become a new militia, only adding to the turmoil in the peninsula. [AP, 10/8/2012]
SOCIETY & MEDIA
Egypt to remember Maspero clashes on Tuesday A number of protests and memorials will take place across Egypt on Tuesday to commemorate the first anniversary of the Maspero clashes. A march organised by a number of groups, including the April 6 Youth Movement and the Popular Current, will depart from Dawran Shubra Square at 4pm and take the same route as the march that ended in tragedy at Maspero last year. [Ahram Online, Egypt Independent, 10/9/2012]
REGIONAL & INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
Morsy arrives Uganda in first visit by Egypt’s leader to source of Nile President Mohamed Morsy arrived in Uganda Tuesday on a one-day visit to attend the African’s country Jubilee celebrations, MENA reported. The visit comes as Morsy reshapes diplomatic priorities in Africa, after critics say that the rest of the continent was completely ignored by former President Hosni Mubarak. [Egypt Independent, 10/9/2012]
Egypt, Turkey start joint war games Egyptian and Turkish naval forces started a week-long joint military exercise in the Mediterranean on Sunday, an Egyptian military official said. The official, who asked not to be named, said Monday that five Egyptian navy units and aircraft are taking part in the drills, dubbed "The Sea of Friendship." The same official added that Egypt will engage with the US Army in another military exercise dubbed "Bright Star" during the second half of 2013. [Egypt Independent, Ahram Online, 10/9/2012]
