Cairo – Akram Ali
SCAF: Advisory Council will not replace Egyptian parliament
Cairo – Akram Ali
Egypt’s Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) has said that the role of the newly SCAF appointed Advisory Council will end as soon as the presidential vote concludes in June
2012. SCAF emphasised that the Advisory Council role is only consulting in order to maintain communication between SCAF and Egypt's various political forces. SCAF highlighted in a statement, on Monday, the advisory nature of the council where it explicitly did not replace the parliament. In its statement SCAF called all parties and political forces to establish more dialogue in opinion and advice, taking into account the best interests of the country, which at the moment were "to complete the institutional structure of democracy, and hand over power to a civilian government and elected president".
SCAF also stressed the trust of the Egyptians’ effectiveness in the democratisation process, calling for Egyptians to implement the next round of the elections by the same degree of awareness and seriousness, which was lauded by the international community.
The SCAF reiterated its commitment to holding free and transparent elections and respecting an outcome that reflected the political will of the Egyptian people, helping parliament members carry out their legislative and regulatory duties.
SCAF also expressed its appreciation for the sacrifices made ??by the "martyrs and victims of the January 25 Revolution", including those affected by the Maspero and Tahrir clashes.
The statement emphasised that the SCAF was following with interest all actions taken to ensure that families of the "martyrs" retained their due rights, as well as providing care for victims.