Egypt's Islamists warn over government backing

Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood warned the ruling military Saturday over its backing of the current government, which it accuses of stalling the revolution that ousted Hosni Mubarak and saw Islamists dominate parliament. The Muslim Brotherhood's political arm, the Freedom and Justice Party, has been pressuring the military to sack the cabinet and appoint an FJP-led government after it won a crushing victory in parliamentary elections. But the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, which took power after the popular uprising that toppled Mubarak, has stood by the cabinet and its head Kamal Ganzuri. In an unusually strongly worded statement, the Brotherhood said the government's performance had been the "biggest failure", listing unrest, judicial interference, stalling reforms, fuel shortages and dwindling foreign reserves. "When we called for the resignation of the government, its head refused, and this was unfortunately supported by the military council," the group said. "Keeping this government as we approach presidential elections... which raises suspicions over the fairness of these elections, as well as the general decline of affairs, are things we cannot remain silent or patient over," it added. "If anyone intends to recreate the former corrupt regime with new faces, the people are willing to move in order to revive their revolution and protect their ship from sinking at the hands of people with no sense of responsibility," it said. Last month, a lawsuit was brought before the Supreme Constitutional Court arguing that the parliamentary election was unconstitutional due to its complex voting system. The Islamists said they fear the military council could push through this lawsuit should they insist on Ganzuri's removal. "This would be a disaster. What governs the relationship between the different organs of the state, is it the constitution and the law or is it threats?" the group asked.