FJP’s Member; Egypt’s Junta Impedes Democracy
The Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood’s political wing, the Freedom and Justice Party (FJP) has accused the ruling military of hindering transition to democracy and following in the footsteps of the country’s ousted dictator Hosni Mubarak.
“SCAF hinders democratization by declaring such an unconstitutional declaration which is quite simply an impediment to the next president’s work, and by restricting freedoms through emergency-law-like powers and procedures,” FJP member Gamal Heshmat said, the party reported on its website on Friday.
He condemned the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF)’s recent statement and threats pointing to the potential use of force against the Egyptian protesters, who have gathered in the capital’s iconic Tahrir Square to protest against the junta.
“SCAF is repeating ousted Mubarak’s old statements, talking about things that it does not apply or adhere to,” he added. 
The SCAF warned on Friday that the Army will “deal firmly” with, what it called, attempts to harm public interests.
A part of SCAF’s statement said, “Protecting the status of state institutions is a national responsibility for all: Any attack on them threatens the stability and national security of Egypt.”
Heshmat reiterated that the will of the Egyptian nation, which overthrew Mubarak’s regime, will remain as strong and the military rulers’ maneuvers and tactics, aimed at dashing the hopes of the people, will be rejected.
Meanwhile, thousands of people are holding a sit-in protest in Tahrir Square against, what they call, a power grab by the Army that has divided the nation.
The demonstrators are protesting the delay in announcing the winner of the run-off presidential election of June 16-17 and the risk of a coup by the military rulers.
A delay in the announcement of the run-off’s results, which had been due on Thursday, has raised widespread suspicions that the returns are being negotiated rather than counted.
The junta has criticized the presidential candidates, FJP’s Mohammed Morsi and Mubarak-era Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq, for releasing early results, calling the move unjustified and “one of the main reasons for divisions and tensions.”
The Brotherhood has declared victory for its candidate, providing, what it said was, certified copies of ballot tallies to support its claim.
The campaign for rival Shafiq, the last premier under Mubarak, has also claimed victory.
Many fear that the delay in producing the results is the Army’s tactic for declaring the former premier the winner.
