President Mohamed Morsi said in an interview with Al-Jazeera Satellite Channel on 04/20/2013 that Egypt has not yet received a loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) because Egypt turns down its conditions.
“We seek to carry out clear changes in the government’s economic program to receive the loan and we are keen on the interests of the Egyptian citizens,” Morsi said.
The Egyptian leader asserted that he seeks real investments in Egypt because loans do not solve problems and are just temporary solutions.
During the interview, President Mohamed Morsi reiterated the importance of maintaining integrity of the Egyptian territory.
“Egypt’s lands are not for sale and are prohibited for non-Egyptians,” he said.
Morsi voiced hope that a trade and economic integration with all Arab countries would be achieved.
“The Egyptian judiciary is part of the January 25th Revolution and stood against the former regime in 2005,” Morsi said during the interview that tackled Egypt’s internal and foreign policies.
Morsi said that he is keen on conveying a message to the world that post-revolution Egypt is great and has transferred from the state, where freedoms, democracy, and social justice are absent under the ex-regime.
“We move quickly to achieve social justice and this will take some time so that the citizen can live a decent life and obtain what will help him,” Morsi said.
The President underlined that a minimum and maximum wage level is a must to achieve social justice.
President Morsi asserted that he is proud of belonging to the Muslim Brotherhood in which he was brought up.
He asserted that he is a president for all Egyptians and work for all the people in line with law and the constitution.
The president rejected accusations that he backtracked his decisions due to pressures from the Muslim Brotherhood, adding that he does not submit to directions from the Islamic group.
“These accusations are waste of time,” Morsi said.
Morsi asserted that his relation with the Egyptian people grows stronger every day and that the opposition does not affect his popularity among the people.
“The majority of the Egyptians still support me and I notice that in many situations,” Morsi added.
Asked about his relations with the military institution, President Morsi reiterated that there are strong ties with all state institutions including the army.
He pointed out that a recent meeting with the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) was normal as he is part from the military institution and the Egyptian people.
Morsi rejected accusations about a crackdown on the media and freedoms, asserting that licenses have been given for 59 new newspapers and magazines since the convocation of the Shura Council early 2012.
“The first legislative amendment I did was to cancel preventive detention of journalists due to their views or criticisms against the president,” Morsi said.
There is now a large space for expressing opinions on conditions that they do not breach traditions and ethics of the society, Morsi asserted.
President Morsi asserted that the security situation in Egypt now is better than before and is improving.
“Law is now being enforced on all citizens, including the president himself,” Morsi said, adding that security disturbances are normal during transitional periods.
Morsi asserted that peaceful protest is a right ensured for all, warning that those who resort to violence will be firmly punished.
“Security breaches are unacceptable and will be strictly faced, especially violations committed by those who call themselves Black Bloc who,” Morsi said.
He noted that ex-regime figures who have funds are still seeking corruption and do not want to purify themselves.
“No way for corrupt people in new Egypt,” he said.
“Egypt’s Copts are not minority, but they are partners in the nation,” Morsi said, adding that law and the constitution oblige the president to give the rights to all people without discrimination.
Morsi pointed out that some people exaggerate by describing incidents involving Copts as ‘sectarian’.
“This is not true,” he said, adding that the victims of the violence that took place in Qalubiya and the Coptic Cathedral are Muslims and Christians.
President Morsi asserted that relations with Arab countries are strong and must have benefits for the Egyptian people and come within mutual interests without interference in one’s affairs.
He denied reports about selling the Suez Canal to Qatar, saying that such reports are ‘ridiculous’.
“There is joint cooperation between Egypt and Qatar,” Morsi said.
He asserted that Qatar respects Egypt and its people and the Egyptians appreciate Qatar’s role in supporting Egypt.
“Our Qatari brothers have repeatedly denied such lies about the Suez Canal,” the Egyptian president said, asserting that Egypt’s lands are not for sale.
The president said that there are no disagreements between Egypt and the United Arab Emirates.
He asserted that ties with Iran only aim at achieving the interests of the Egyptian people and ‘our relations with Tehran are not directed against any one’.
He pointed out that he urged Iran to be a part of solving the Syrian crisis and ending bloodshed.
Iran should not be a part of the crisis but a part of the solution, he said.
President Morsi denied that Egypt’s return to its pioneering role in the region came at the expense of the home front.
“Egypt is seeking to achieve inter-Palestinian national reconciliation that will benefit the Egyptian interests, especially our national security,” Morsi said.
Morsi described claims about allowing Palestinians to possess part of Sinai as ‘funny’, asserting that Egyptians will not give up any part of their lands and the Palestinians love their country and will not abandon it at any price.
He asserted that Egypt respects the peace treaty signed with Israel, underlining the necessity of stopping violence against the Palestinians to bring about peace to the region.
Egypt is a state of peace and respects others and does not seek war, but it will not accept any attack on it, Morsi said.
Asked about ties between Egypt and the US, President Morsi asserted that relations between the two countries are based on mutual interests and non-intervention in Egypt’s affairs.
gov.eg
