Former Minister of Scientific Research Nadia Zachary denied Tuesday knowing about the so-called “exile government” announced by Mohamed al-Gawady, a leading figure of the National Alliance in Support of Legitimacy (NASL).
“When I heard the news, I thought it to be a very silly joke, and something very strange. I first took it lightly, thinking someone is joking, but I was surprised to find out that it is not a joke or a rumor,” Zachary told the privately-owned satellite channel OnTV.
Gawady nominated Zachary to be the Defense Minister in the government that he sees as a step towards reinstating President Mohamed Morsy, the 2012 Constitution, the People's Assembly and the Shura Council.
Zachary, who was a member of both the Kamal al Ganzoury and Hesham Qandil governements until the ouster of Mohamed Morsy, said she would only be honored to be part of a formal cabinet headed by the country's Prime Minister.
She warned that she would resort to taking legal action if she continues being nominated within this exile government. She then apologized to current Defense Minister Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, whose place she was meant to take in the NASL government.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
