Any attempt to force the ruling military council from power would lead to the “destruction of the nation,” said presidential aspirant Mohamed Selim al-Awa on Wednesday.
At an election rally in Badrashin district in Giza on Wednesday evening, Awa said that the military rule was a “necessity” for the transitional phase, and that the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces had to govern the country despite not being elected to its position.
Some revolutionary groups, liberals and Islamists have criticized the SCAF’s management of the country since the overthrow of former President Hosni Mubarak on 11 February last year. Thousands took to the streets over the course of 2011 and into 2012 to demand that the council hand over power to civilians.
Awa praised the armed forces’ patriotism in protecting the revolution following Mubarak’s resignation.
“The SCAF carried out its duty when it took the side of the people in the statement issued on 1 February, in which it stated the armed forces would protect the revolution.”
Awa noted that the SCAF generals are “human beings like us; they did wrong and did right. All Adam’s sons err.”
Some attendees began to chant “Down with the military rule” following Awa’s comments. The presidential hopeful responded by saying that he supports overthrowing the military by legal means.
Awa also pointed out that the SCAF would return to practicing its normal duties within a few months, and noted that military rule could only be ended through the presidential elections.
Awa has defended the SCAF on many occasions over the last few months. At the London School of Economics last month, some attendees chanted and forced Awa to cut short his speech in protest of Awa’s pro-SCAF statements.
Asked if he expects the Muslim Brotherhood to support him in the upcoming presidential race, Awa responded, “I expect support from everyone: the Muslim Brotherhood, Salafis, liberals and Copts.”
He continued: “I do not belong to a certain ideology, but my reference is the Arab Islamic [trend of thought], and this affiliation I will never give up.”
Translated from Al-Masry Al-Youm
