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memri
Feb 01, 2011
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Egyptian Prime Minister Ahmad Shafiq Agrees to Meet with Muslim Brotherhood Leader and States: This Is Not a Revolution; It Is Not Tunisia Here

#2788 | 03:09
Source: Dream TV (Egypt)Mehwar TV (Egypt)Al-Hayat (Egypt)

Following are excerpts from interviews held with Egyptian Prime Minister Ahmad Shafiq by several Egyptian TV channels, aired on February 1, 2011.

Dream TV:

Ahmad Shafiq: I do not think that there will be a demonstration in which people will ask President Mubarak to remain in power. I know him well enough to say that even if they asked him to remain in power, he would be even more adamant about his current position. You can be sure of that.

[...]

It is as if we have taken the Tunisian "catalogue," and we're implementing it. You can see this even in the language used here. We live in Egypt, not in Tunisia, or in this or that country.

Interviewer: The resignation of any prime minister is always possible. What would make you resign?

Ahmad Shafiq: The truth is that there are several things. That's a very good question. First of all, if I see that I cannot fulfill my mission, I will resign immediately, even if only to maintain my personal dignity. If I see that I cannot carry out what is required of me, I will resign right away.

If I find myself in a position where injustice is done to me – and this holds true for anybody, not just for the prime minister... If I feel that injustice is done to me, I will resign immediately, and make room for somebody else. I cannot tolerate injustice at all.

[...]

Al-Mihwar TV:

Interviewer: Will you, as prime minister of Egypt, meet with the General Guide of the Muslim Brotherhood in your office?

Ahmad Shafiq: Absolutely. Am I supposed to change color if I meet him? Where is the problem? Why should I have a problem meeting with him?

Interviewer: Isn't there a problem?

Ahmad Shafiq: He is a dear guest, who is most welcome. Everybody is entitled to his opinion.

Interviewer: So you have no objection to meeting...

Ahmad Shafiq: None whatsoever. End of discussion.

[...]

Al-Hayat TV:

Interviewer: How would you describe what is happening in Tahrir Square and Egypt's governorates?

Ahmad Shafiq: This is a powerful collective expression of public opinion... You would like to call it a revolution, but it is not a revolution, of course.

Interviewer: I'm just asking you...

Ahmad Shafiq: This is not a revolution. A revolution is when I remove a person against his will, and appoint this or that person to various positions... That's a revolution. This is not the case here.

[...]

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