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160463
Sat, 02/12/2011 - 09:40
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http://m.oananews.org//node/160463
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Mubarak's resignation timely, but tough talks ahead - Margelov
MOSCOW, February 12 (Itar-Tass) -- Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak's decision to resign was "a timely step," the chairman of the international affairs committee of Russia's Federation Council, Mikhail Margelov, said.
He speculated, however that the dialogue between the army, which took over power, and the opposition will not be easy.
"In this situation, Mubarak's promises of concessions only angered the protesters, Mubarak became a symbol of the Egyptian people's misery, and the protests against the president have resulted in uncontrollable riots and civil disobedience," Margelov told Itar-Tass. At the same time, he recalled that "under authoritarian regimes the army plays an important role, especially so in Egypt, where for quite a long time the country's leadership has been that of military origin." Therefore, Margelov said, "the transfer of power from the president to the Supreme Council of the armed forces did not become a surprise."
He speculated that "the Council will dismiss the government and
dissolve parliament and government and the country will begin to be run through the head of the Constitutional Court." In other words, Margelov added, the Council will "clean up a platform for political reforms, especially the elections in September."
Margelov admitted that the situation in Egypt, "has made it difficult to forecast the presidential candidates: Mohamed ElBaradei is unlikely to succeed - he is little-known as a politician in Egypt." The secretary general of the Arab League, Amr Moussa, has more chances, Margelov speculated. But we cannot exclude the possibility that the presidency will be contested by other politicians, including those with a military background.
Despite the complexity of today's situation the transfer of power to the military "gives hope that the situation in the country will be finally stabilized." Presumably, the army will enter into a dialogue with the opposition and civil institutions, said Margelov. "But the army generals are part of the political system of the past, and presumably, the dialogue with the opposition will not be easy," he added.
He speculated, however that the dialogue between the army, which took over power, and the opposition will not be easy.
"In this situation, Mubarak's promises of concessions only angered the protesters, Mubarak became a symbol of the Egyptian people's misery, and the protests against the president have resulted in uncontrollable riots and civil disobedience," Margelov told Itar-Tass. At the same time, he recalled that "under authoritarian regimes the army plays an important role, especially so in Egypt, where for quite a long time the country's leadership has been that of military origin." Therefore, Margelov said, "the transfer of power from the president to the Supreme Council of the armed forces did not become a surprise."
He speculated that "the Council will dismiss the government and
dissolve parliament and government and the country will begin to be run through the head of the Constitutional Court." In other words, Margelov added, the Council will "clean up a platform for political reforms, especially the elections in September."
Margelov admitted that the situation in Egypt, "has made it difficult to forecast the presidential candidates: Mohamed ElBaradei is unlikely to succeed - he is little-known as a politician in Egypt." The secretary general of the Arab League, Amr Moussa, has more chances, Margelov speculated. But we cannot exclude the possibility that the presidency will be contested by other politicians, including those with a military background.
Despite the complexity of today's situation the transfer of power to the military "gives hope that the situation in the country will be finally stabilized." Presumably, the army will enter into a dialogue with the opposition and civil institutions, said Margelov. "But the army generals are part of the political system of the past, and presumably, the dialogue with the opposition will not be easy," he added.
