Cairo: Egypt’s de facto military ruler Hussain Tantawi Saturday said the junta would transfer power to an elected civilian administration, a pledge made one day after thousands of Egyptians held anti-military protests.
“The armed forces will hand over the country to an elected civilian system and a [new] constitution with which all Egyptians will be pleased,” Tantawi was quoted by the state Middle East News Agency (Mena) as saying at a military drill outside Cairo.
The agency did not refer to a June 30 deadline previously set for the power transfer by the junta who has been ruling the country since a popular revolt removed Hosni Mubarak from power more than a year ago.
Fears have grown in Egypt after Tantawi suggested at a recent meeting with politicians that a new constitution be written before a presidential election scheduled for next month. The opposition has seen the suggestion as a bid by the ruling military council to prolong its stay in power.
Thousands of Egyptians, mainly Islamists, Friday rallied in Cairo and other major cities to denounce the military rule and call for expediting the power handover.
“History will prove to everyone the efforts made by the armed forces during the transitional period,” Mena quoted Tantawi as saying on Saturday.
A constitution assembly, dominated by Islamists, is in limbo after a court earlier this month ordered its suspension. The new constitution is set to clearly define Egypt’s identity, presidential powers and the army’s future role.
