Egypt's military not to leave power before June, says premier
Egyptian PM said Wednesday that the country's military rulers would stay in power until June 30
Cairo: Egyptian Prime Minister Kamal Al Ganzouri said Wednesday that the country's military rulers would stay in power until June 30, dampening expectations for an earlier transfer of power to a civilian administration.
"The (ruling) Supreme Council of the Armed Forces will not leave before this date. I say this as an official," Al Ganzouri told a press conference.
He added that nominations for a presidential election would be accepted starting March 10. However, he did not say exactly when the polls will be held.
The military has been ruling Egypt since last February when a popular revolt forced long-standing president Hosni Mubarak to step down.
The junta has set the presidential election at mid-June. But its recent announcement of opening registration for the presidential race on March 10 raised speculation that the dates of the election and consequently the power handover would be brought forward.
"The political map is clear and the programme for transferring the power to a civilian president is being implemented," Al Ganzouri said. His remarks came amid increasing pressure by the opposition on the military rulers to cede power as soon as possible.
Several protest groups and trade unions plan nationwide civil disobedience on February 11, the first anniversary of Mubarak's ouster, to press the military on expediting the transfer of power and trials for officials from the Mubarak regime charged with killing more than 800 people during the revolt that deposed Mubarak.
The Muslim Brotherhood, that holds nearly half of parliament, has said it will not participate in the protest.
