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May 3, 2012 Special Dispatch No. 4697

Egyptian Islamic Jihad Member Sheik Nabil Naeem: If Omar Suleiman Becomes President, There Will Be 'Armed Violence'

May 3, 2012
Egypt | Special Dispatch No. 4697

Following are excerpts from an interview with Sheik Nabil Naeem, a member of the Egyptian Islamic Jihad, which aired on Sada Al-Balad TV on April 14, 2012.

Interviewer: "What will happen if Omar Suleiman fulfills the terms for candidacy?"

Nabil Naeem: "The question is whether he is elected or not."

Interviewer: "But I'd like to know what Al-Gamaa Al-Islamiyya thinks might happen."

Nabil Naeem: "The entire Egyptian people, not just the Islamists, are against him."

Interviewer: "Sorry, I meant the Islamic Jihad."

Nabil Naeem: "Everybody is against him, including the Islamic Jihad, the Muslim Brotherhood, and the Salafis."

Interviewer: "How will this opposition be expressed?"

Nabil Naeem: "It will take place on the streets."

Interviewer: "What do you mean?"

Nabil Naeem: "There will be demonstrations, protests, things like that. But I don't think there will be violence unless he becomes president. If he becomes president, the [Islamic] organizations will go underground. But right now, all the activity is non-violent. Just demonstrations and protests."

Interviewer: "But when will they turn violent?"

Nabil Naeem: If he becomes president.

Interviewer: "So if Omar Suleiman becomes the Egyptian president…"

Nabil Naeem: "Then violence will return. Armed violence."

Interviewer: "Armed violence?"

Nabil Naeem: "That's right."

Interviewer: "Assassinations, for example?"

Nabil Naeem: "Yes. He himself would be a target for assassinations. Is he any better than Sadat?"

Interviewer: "You are issuing a threat live on TV."

Nabil Naeem: "No, it's not a threat. You asked if the violence would return, and I said it would."

Interviewer: "You declared it live on TV."

Nabil Naeem: "It's not a declaration. You asked if the violence would return, and I said it would if he becomes president." […]


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