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| Maj. Gen. Mohammed al-Assar, a member of Egypt's ruling military council, talks during a press conference in Cairo, Egypt, Thursday May 3, 2012. Egypt's ruling military council is committed to handing over power to a civilian administration by July 1 as it promised, al-Assar said Thursday. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil) |
Egypt's ruling military generals have defended their record in power and repeated their pledge to transfer power to a civilian government within two months, with a senior figure saying "our hands are clean of Egyptian blood."
The statements come after deadly clashes earlier this week stoked by political tensions brought fresh accusations that the military was trying to create chaos so it could cling to power.
At least 11 people were killed in clashes that broke out on Wednesday when apparent supporters of the military rulers attacked a mostly Salafi crowd staging a sit-in outside the Ministry of Defense in Cairo to call for an end to the generals' rule.
Army troops were accused of standing idly by near the clashes and not intervening until after the deaths. A senior member of the ruling military council tried to counter accusations from some rival politicians that the military might use the violence as a pretext to ignore its own deadline to relinquish control of the country.
"We say it frankly and clearly. The armed forces and their supreme council are committed to the handover of power on June 30," Major General Mohammed al-Assar told a news conference.
"We don't desire power. The Supreme Council (of the Armed Forces) is not a substitute for legitimacy in Egypt."
"Have mercy on the Supreme Council," he pleaded. "Our hands are clean of Egyptian blood."
Major General Mukhtar al-Mullah sternly warned protesters that if they try to approach the Defense Ministry, force might be used against them.
Political and pro-democracy groups are organizing a mass protest Friday near the Defense Ministry to demand that the military respect the July 1 deadline for stepping down.
"Self-defense is applicable against anyone who approaches a military facility. Whoever does that must endure the consequences," he warned.
"The Defense Ministry, all military units and facilities are symbols of military honor and the dignity of the state, those who approach them will have themselves to blame."
He met with Egypt's military ruler, Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi and said he "was crystal clear with me. He is very determined and very adamant that he and SCAF in full intend to turn over power. In fact, I think they can't wait. I think they are anxious...They want to see this election happen."
He added that they are even ready to hand off power before June, if a candidate wins more than 50 percent of the vote during the first round of elections.
"I believe SCAF wants to go back to barracks and hand power to politicians," he said.
The military has promised before to hand over power by the end of June, a crucial step in a tumultuous transition to democracy after the ouster of dictator Hosni Mubarak in a popular uprising 14 months ago.
The election is expected to be followed by a runoff between the top two on June 16-17 with the winner announced on June 21.
Al-Assar also said that it was "dangerous" for the protesters to stage their sit-in near the Defense Ministry and denied charges that the military was behind Wednesday's attack on the protesters.
He told reporters that the military, which took power after Mubarak's ouster, will ensure the integrity and fairness of the presidential election.
(AP, Al-Akhbar)
Uprooted Palestinian
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