Presidential spokesman warns against attempts to ‘break’ military

Presidential spokesperson Ahmed al-Moslemany has warned against attempts to “break” Egypt’s Armed Forces and make an enemy of them in political life, saying Egypt has survived schemes to bring down the state. 

In a press conference Sunday, Moslemany said political forces need to ponder how the Muslim Brotherhood was able to survive for 80 years but only fell in 80 hours. It should be a lesson to all, he said.

With a 10-person committee slated to submit its final amendments to the draft constitution to interim President Adly Mansour on Sunday — after which the document will be referred to a 50-person committee — Moslemany made assurances that the presidency will not interfere in the amendment process.

He maintained that the roadmap will remain based on the Constitutional Declaration announced by Mansour last month and that the presidency has no particular position against any political forces, including the Brotherhood.

He also said, however, there will be no reconciliation with those who opted to resort to violence.

Moslemany said negotiations are underway with political forces willing to participate in Egypt’s future, including the Salafi Nour Party. The state welcomes those who were not involved in bloodshed and attempts to destroy the state, he said.

The military ousted President Mohamed Morsi, who hails from the Brotherhood, on July 3 after mass protests against him and appointed Mansour president.  The Brotherhood have since been labeled terrorists.

Moslemany said Egypt is in need of new policies and new generations to face the political challenges ahead, and that political forces need to embark on a restructuring process as parliamentary and presidential elections loom.