Post date: Jul 03, 2013 10:31:10 PM
Egypt's liberal opposition leader Mohamed ElBaradei states his backing for the roadmap for a return to democratic rule laid out by the nation's military following the announcement that it had toppled President Mohamed Mursi and initiated a political transition.
CAIRO, EGYPT (JULY 3, 2013) (EGYPT TV) - Egyptian liberal opposition leader Mohamed ElBaradei and the heads of the state Islamic institute, Al-Azhar, and the Egyptian Coptic Church on Wednesday (July 3) declared their support for the military's roadmap for a return to democratic rule.
The country's two main religious leaders and the Nobel peace laureate made speeches not long after the armed forces announced the overthrow of electedIslamist President Mohamed Mursi and a political transition.ElBaradei said the roadmap would return the country to the path of the January 25 revolution.
"The roadmap that was put in place today is for the correction of the path of the January 25 revolution and in response to the demands of the great Egyptian people," he said.
"I hope this roadmap can become a relaunch of the January 25th revolution in which the Egyptian people worked to reclaim their freedom and achieve what we have all been waiting for - social justice."
The head of the Egyptian Coptic Church Tawadros III - who had previously said the country's Christians felt sidelined, ignored and neglected by Muslim Brotherhood-led authorities - stated his approval for the army roadmap.
"This roadmap was put forth by honourable people who have the best interests for this country at heart, without eliminating any party. This roadmap will solve the situation that our country is in," he said.
Flanked by political and religious leaders and top generals, General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi announced the suspension of the Islamist-tinged constitution and a roadmap for a return to democratic rule under a revised rulebook.
The president of the supreme constitutional court will act as interim head of state, assisted by an interim council and a technocratic government until new presidential and parliamentary elections are held.