Egypt's Opposition Figures Refuse To Meet Visiting Secretary Of State John F. Kerry

Kerry Urges Egypt To Take Difficult Economic Steps; Opposition Figures Skip Meetings -- Washington Post

CAIRO — Well-known political opposition figures stayed away from meetings with visiting Secretary of State John F. Kerry on Saturday, some for fear of appearing too close to the United States in the still-unsettled politics of Egypt two years after the fall of a U.S.-backed dictator.

Kerry encouraged Egypt’s ­Islamist-led government to take politically difficult economic steps that are crucial to securing international loans and outside investment. President Mohamed Morsi, whom Kerry will see Sunday, has been unable to marshal support for such economic measures. His opponents accuse him of reneging on pledges of political and religious openness.

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My Comment: Sending $1.3 billion in military aid to Egypt. Supporting IMF efforts to provide economic aid to the Egyptian government. Ignoring the plight of Christians in Egypt. Hmmmm .... no wonder opposition figures are reluctant to meet U.S. Secretary of State Kerry.

Egypt Receives It's First Batch Of American F-16s. Not Everyone Is Happy

Egypt Receives F-16s as Part of Aid Questioned by U.S. Lawmakers -- Bloomberg Businessweek

Egypt and the U.S. marked the delivery of new F-16 aircraft to the North African country, part of military aid that some U.S. lawmakers are questioning.

The four aircraft are among 20 F-16s that will arrive in Egypt over the course of the year, the U.S. Embassy in Cairo said in an e-mailed statement today. “The F-16s are part of the $1.3 billion in the Foreign Military Financing program from the U.S. in annual military and security assistance to Egypt, to improve Egypt’s defensive capabilities and support Egypt’s contributions to regional security that counter terrorist threats,” it said.

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Update: Egypt Receives First Batch of F-16s from the U.S. -- Arutz Sheva

My Comment: Not everyone is happy with this "gift".

U.S. Gift Of F-16 Fighters Headed To Egypt Despite It's President's Use Of Racist Rhetoric

U.S. Gift Of F-16 Fighters Headed To Egypt, Despite Morsi's Harsh Rhetoric -- FOX News

Four F-16 fighter jets left the U.S. this morning, bound for Egypt as part of a foreign aid package critics say should have been scrapped when the nation elected a president who has called President Obama a liar and urged that hatred of Jews be instilled in children.

A source who works on the Naval Air Force Base in Dallas confirmed the departure of the state-of-the-art fighter planes to FoxNews.com. Sixteen F-16s and 200 Abrams tanks are to be given to the Egyptian government before the end of the year under a foreign aid deal signed in 2010 with then-Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, a longtime U.S. ally..

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My Comment: This is wrong on so many levels .... if you want to send $1 billion in aid .... send food not weapons .... but such is the state of America's foreign policy today.

Is The White House Ignoring The Fundamentalist Nature Of Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood?

White House, State Department Ignored Warnings Of Muslim Brotherhood Threat -- Examiner

The Investigative Project on Terrorism (ITP) released a report today that the Obama administration ignored warnings that the Muslim Brotherhood and Egypt’s President Mohamed Morsi were not moderates or democratic in any way and posed serious threats to Egypt and the Middle East.

John Rossomando of ITP News reported that diplomatic cables they obtained and Egyptian opposition leader Michael Meunier statements to ITP News proved that, “The Obama administration chose to listen to voices suggesting that Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood was more moderate rather than those who warned it would resort to violence if it came to power.”

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Update: Opposition Leader: Obama Administration Downplayed Brotherhood Warnings -- Al Gemeiner

My Comment: This report is coming out on the heels of these allegations. Is the White House and State Department ignoring the radical fundamentalism of the Muslim Brotherhood .... I doubt it. I think thy are fully aware of who and what the Muslim Brotherhood is .... the problem (for the White House) is to find a way to minimize their influence in the region. Unfortunately .... on this matter .... I do not think the White House is going to succeed.

U.S. Lawmakers Question Gift Of 20 Advance F-16s To The Muslim Brotherhood Government Ruled By Morsi In Egypt

Turmoil in Egypt isn't stopping a shipment of 20 F-16 fighter jets, including this one - already emblazoned with Egypt's flag. (Courtesy: Carl Richards)

Lawmakers Question Gift Of 20 F-16s To Morsi's Egypt -- FOX News

Key lawmakers expressing concerns about the Obama administration's plan to send 20 F-16 fighter jets to Egypt, where new President Mohamed Morsi's allegiances are as uncertain as his grip on power.

Under a foreign aid deal signed in 2010, when Morsi's U.S.-friendly predecessor Hosni Mubarak was in charge, the U.S. is giving the planes to Egypt's air force, which already has more than 200 of the aircraft. The first four jets are to be delivered beginning Jan. 22, a source at the naval air base in Fort Worth, where the planes have been undergoing testing, told FoxNews.com. But the $213 million gift is raising questions on Capitol Hill as Morsi is under fire for trying to seize dictatorial powers and allegedly siccing thugs and rapists on protesters.

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More News On The U.S. Sending (For Free) 20 F-16s To Egypt

More F-16s for Egypt fuels arms debate -- UPI
Obama approved F-16 fighter jets as gift to Egypt -- RT
Obama defies congressional leaders, OKs delivery of F-16s to Egypt -- World Tribune
US supplies Egypt with F-16 fighter jets -- YNet
US to Send 20 Fighter Jets to Egypt Despite Turmoil -- Newsmax
US Sends Muslim Brotherhood’s Morsi 20 F-16 Warplanes -- Arutz Sheva
Egypt: Obama sends Muslim Brotherhood rulers more tanks and fighter jets -- Examiner
Obama's F-16 Delivery Could Help Egypt Destroy Israel -- IBD Editorials
Does Egypt Need Advance Aircraft? -- Roger Kaplan, American Spectator

My Comment: As I had mentioned in a previous post .... this is nuts. But such is the state of affairs when it comes to passing around US military aid to 'questionable' governments.

Why Is The U.S. Sending 20 More F-16 Jet Fighters To Egypt's Islamic Government?

Turmoil in Egypt isn't stopping a shipment of 20 F-16 fighter jets, including this one - already emblazoned with Egypt's flag.

US Sending 20 More F-16s To Egypt, Despite Turmoil In Cairo -- FOX News

Instability in Egypt, where a newly-elected Islamic government teeters over an angry population, isn't enough to stop the U.S. from sending more than 20 F-16 fighter jets, as part of a $1 billion foreign aid package.

The first four jets are to be delivered to Egypt beginning Jan. 22, a source at the naval air base in Fort Worth, where the planes have been undergoing testing, told FoxNews.com. The North African nation already has a fleet of more than 200 of the planes and the latest shipment merely fulfills an order placed two years ago. But given the uncertainty in Cairo, some critics wonder if it is wise to be sending more top gun planes.

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My Comment: This is nuts. And to add insult to injury .... these fighter jets are part of an aid package. Egypt has no enemies, so these jets will be used for only two things .... to threaten it's civilians who are protesting against the Morsi government, and to threaten Israel.

The Muslim Brotherhood Is The Enemy Of Democracy

Our Man In Cairo -- David Ignatius, Washington Post

How did Washington become the best friend of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, even as President Mohamed Morsi was asserting dictatorial powers and his followers were beating up secular liberals in the streets of Cairo? It’s a question many Arabs ask these days, and it deserves an answer.

Morsi and his Brotherhood followers are on a power trip after decades of isolation and persecution. You could see that newfound status when Morsi visited the United Nations in September and even more so during the diplomacy that led to last month’s cease-fire in Gaza, brokered by Morsi and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. The Brotherhood leaders had gone from outcasts to superstars, and they were basking in the attention.

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WNU Editor: Here are two more must read commentaries on Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood.

Egypt’s Predictable Unraveling: The Brothers are playing for keeps. -- Andrew C. McCarthy, NRO
Morsi Fans the Flames of Hatred in Egypt -- Matthias Gebauer, Spiegel Online

Why Is The U.S. Supplying Weapons To Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood-Dominated Government?

Muslim Brotherhood Inherits U.S. War Gear -- Washington Times

For Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood-dominated government, more battle tanks and jet fighters are on their way from the United States.

Cairo’s military link to Washington has remained intact, meaning the U.S. will continue to modernize the biggest military in Africa — even as President Mohammed Morsi has decreed near-absolute power for himself and his supporters and opponents battle outside his palace.

Analysts say Egypt’s military buildup presents risks for Washington — and Israel — with the growing influence of the Brotherhood, whose overriding goal is to establish Shariah, or Islamic, law worldwide.

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My Comment: If supplying weapons to a government whose overriding goal is to establish a global caliphate makes sense to you .... you are in good company because that is exactly what the White House is doing right now. I obviously believe that this is a wrong move .... and while the Egyptians are free to choose the path that they want, we in turn should not provide the Muslim Brotherhood-dominated government  any legitimacy by providing them the necessary financial resources and weapons to stay in power. Unfortunately .... this is the path that the U.S. is pursuing.

Is The U.S. Going To Cut Aid To Egypt?

Obama Warns Egyptian President Morsi To Rein In Terrorists In Gaza -- The Hill

President Obama on Monday warned Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi that he must get the violence in Gaza under control.

Frustration in the U.S. over rocket attacks on Israel from Hamas militants is increasingly centered on Egypt, and is expected to raise pointed questions from lawmakers next week about the $2 billion in annual American aid to that country.

Egypt’s post-Arab Spring government is dominated by the Muslim Brotherhood, an ideological ally of Hamas, which rules in Gaza and is considered a terrorist group by the U.S. Israeli security officials argue the rockets hitting the nation’s cities were trucked through Egypt and smuggled through border tunnels into Gaza.

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My Comment: The Egyptian Brotherhood (which Morsi wants led) are the philosophical/ideological allies of Hamas .... they are not going to abandon their 'brothers' in their hour of need .... money or no money. But will the U.S. cut their aid .... for the moment no .... but we are heading that way.

Update: We will need to first have our allies in Europe on our side before putting the financial screws to Egypt.

Egypt's New President Outlines Terms For Better U.S.-Arab Relations

President Mohamed Morsi will travel to New York on Sunday for a United Nations meeting. Tara Todras-Whitehill for The New York Times

Egypt’s New Leader Spells Out Terms For U.S.-Arab Ties -- New York Times

CAIRO — On the eve of his first trip to the United States as Egypt’s new Islamist president, Mohamed Morsi said the United States needed to fundamentally change its approach to the Arab world, showing greater respect for its values and helping build a Palestinian state, if it hoped to overcome decades of pent-up anger.

A former leader of the Muslim Brotherhood and Egypt’s first democratically elected president, Mr. Morsi sought in a 90-minute interview with The New York Times to introduce himself to the American public and to revise the terms of relations between his country and the United States after the ouster of Hosni Mubarak, an autocratic but reliable ally.

He said it was up to Washington to repair relations with the Arab world and to revitalize the alliance with Egypt, long a cornerstone of regional stability.

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My Comment: He heads a government that flirts with Iran and Hamas. Persecutes Christians, women, and other minorities. Chooses "guns over butter". Paid lip-service to those who attacked the U.S. embassy in Cairo. Repeatedly demanded the release of terrorists like the 'blind sheik' .... and he comes here to lecture us on how to behave and treat him!?!?!?!? If one wants to know what a 'hard-core" Islamist thinks .... this is a must read article for you.

The Split Between Egypt And The U.S. Grows

A man threw stones in Tahrir Square in Cairo on Thursday as protests continued. President Obama told President Mohamed Morsi of Egypt that he must speak out strongly against the protests. Tara Todras-Whitehill for The New York Times

Egypt, Hearing From Obama, Moves to Heal Rift From Protests -- New York Times

CAIRO — Following a blunt phone call from President Obama, Egyptian leaders scrambled Thursday to try to repair the country’s alliance with Washington, tacitly acknowledging that they erred in their response to the attack on the United States Embassy by seeking to first appease anti-American domestic opinion without offering a robust condemnation of the violence.

Set off by anger at an American-made video ridiculing the Prophet Muhammad, the attacks on the embassy put President Mohamed Morsi and the Muslim Brotherhood in a squeeze between the need to stand with Washington against the attackers and the demands of many Egyptians to defy Washington and defend Islam, a senior Brotherhood official acknowledged.

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My Comment: I cannot resist .... but what is the New York Times peddling in this article? If his latest comments are any indication .... Egypt's President Morsi is clearly "not scrambling" to accommodate President Obama's concerns .... and considering what is happening in the Middle East today .... neither is anyone else.

The story that the New York Times should focus on is the same story that every other news agency outside the U.S. is focusing on .... Obama's Middle East policy is in ruins .... but to do so would undermine the news template that they have been peddling all week.

In This New Middle East Crisis, Egypt Is The Bigger Concern For This White House

A protester throws a stone at riot policemen during clashes along a road which leads to the U.S. embassy, near Tahrir Square in Cairo. (Al Arabiya)

Egypt May Be Bigger Concern Than Libya For White House -- New York Times

WASHINGTON — For all the harrowing images of the deadly attack on the American mission in Benghazi, the Obama administration is grappling with the possibility that its far bigger long-term problem lies in Egypt, not Libya.

Hours before the attacks in Benghazi on Tuesday, the American Embassy in Cairo came under siege from protesters. While the violence there did not result in any American deaths, the tepid response from the Egyptian government to the assault gave officials in Washington — already troubled by the direction of President Mohamed Morsi’s new Islamist government — further cause for concern.

President Obama telephoned Mr. Morsi and the president of Libya’s National Assembly, the White House said early on Thursday, in calls that seemed different in tone, suggesting dissatisfaction with Cairo’s response as opposed to Tripoli’s.

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My Comment: I guess some in Washington are coming to the realization that the Muslim Brotherhood will rule Egypt in a manner that will not be open to U.S. or Western interests .... a prospect that will certainly destabilize this part of the region.

Update: U.S. aid to Egypt will continue.

President Obama: Egypt Neither Friend Nor Foe

Obama Addresses U.S. Relationship With Egypt In Light Of Attacks

Obama: Egypt Is Not US Ally, Nor An Enemy -- BBC

President Barack Obama has said the United States does not currently consider Egypt to be an ally.

He was speaking with reference to violent clashes at the US embassy in Cairo, over a US-made anti-Islamic film which has sparked anger among Muslims.

His comments also came after the storming of the US consulate in Benghazi, Libya, which killed the US ambassador on Tuesday.

President Obama referred to US-Egypt relations as a "work in progress"

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More News On President Obama Stating That Egypt Is "Neither Friend Nor Foe"

Obama: Egypt neither enemy nor ally -- Reuters
Obama: Egypt's Islamist regime is neither enemy nor ally -- Haaretz
Obama: Cairo may not be an 'ally' but Egypt is no 'enemy' (VIDEO) -- Global Post
Obama warns Egypt, thanks Libya -- Politico

My Comment: Egypt was once a close U.S. ally .... and now they are something else? Is this a rare admission from President Obama?

Update: Here comes the White House clarifications.

Protests Continue At The U.S. Embassy In Cairo

Egypt Protesters, Security Forces Clash During Protest Against Anti-Islam Film -- Haaretz/DPA/Reuters

President Morsi gives televised address supporting peaceful protests, condemns attacks on people or embassies.

At least 13 people were injured Thursday in clashes outside the U.S. embassy in Cairo between Egyptian security forces and demonstrators angered by a video defaming Islam.

Police used tear gas to disperse the protesters after they threw stones and petrol bombs near the embassy, state television reported.

The demonstrators set a police van on fire and blocked a road leading to the embassy near Tahrir Square in central Cairo, according to the report.

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More News On Protests At the U.S. Embassy In Egypt

Egypt's Mursi condemns embassy attack, protesters clash -- Reuters
More protests near U.S. Embassy in Cairo -- CNN
U.S. Embassy protests continue in Egypt -- CBS
Violence returns to Cairo: Police, protesters clash outside US embassy -- Indian Express
Egypt security forces, protesters clash outside U.S. Embassy -- Reuters
Protests Continue Outside U.S. Embassy in Cairo -- National Journal
Police, protesters clash outside U.S. embassy in Cairo: TV -- Daily Star
Rioting continues near the US embassy in Cairo -- All Voices
Police, protesters clash over anti-Islam video -- Gulf News
30 injured in clashes in front of U.S. embassy in Egypt -- Xinhuanet

US Diplomatic Offices Attacked In Egypt, Libya. UPDATE: U.S. Ambassador For Libya Killed

U.S. Missions Stormed In Libya, Egypt -- Wall Street Journal

Film Depicting Prophet Mohamed in Flesh Spurs Rocket Attack in Benghazi; 'Islam Is a Cancer,' Filmmaker Says

Demonstrators attacked a U.S. consulate in Libya and breached the walls of the American Embassy in Cairo, mounting angry protests over a film by a U.S. producer that portrays the Prophet Muhammad as a womanizer, pedophile and fraud.

The movie, "Innocence of Muslims," was directed and produced by an Israeli-American real-estate developer who characterized it as a political effort to call attention to the hypocrisies of Islam. It has been promoted by Terry Jones, the Florida pastor whose burning of Qurans previously sparked deadly riots around the world.

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More News On US Diplomatic Offices Attacked In Egypt, Libya

U.S. diplomatic offices attacked in Egypt, Libya over film negative of Muslim prophet -- CBS/AP
Protesters attack U.S. Embassy in Cairo, consulate in Libya -- Washington Post
Obscure Film Mocking Muslim Prophet Sparks Anti-U.S. Protests in Egypt and Libya -- New York Times
Protests in Cairo and Benghazi over American film -- The Guardian
American killed in attack on US Consulate in Libya, security official says, following Egyptian protest at US embassy -- FOX News/AP

US Consulate Employee Killed In Libya Attack -- Al Jazeera
American shot dead in Libyan attack on U.S. Consulate -- USA Today
Libya reports employee at U.S. consulate killed during protests, U.S. official says -- CNN

Egypt protesters pull down U.S. flag at embassy in Cairo -- L.A. Times
Cairo embassy protesters tear down Stars and Stripes to replace it with Islamist flag -- The Australian/AP
Angry Egypt Protesters Tear Down US Embassy Flag -- Voice of America
Egypt protesters breach US embassy over 'insulting' film -- BBC

UPDATE: U.S. ambassador to Libya killed in Benghazi attack -- Reuters

U.S. And Egypt To Conduct Military Drills

US, Egypt Conducting Joint Military Exercises -- Arutz Sheva

U.S. planes landed in Egypt Tuesday for a joint exercise, the first since the fall of Hosni Mubarak.

Just days after a report that the U.S. was sharply cutting its participation in a military exercise scheduled with Israel, U.S. planes landed in Egypt Tuesday for a joint exercise, the first since the fall of Hosni Mubarak. Code-named “Eagle Arena 2012,” the exercise will include air and naval forays by US and Egyptian planes and boats, over the country, Sinai, and the Red Sea.

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My Comment: The U.S. scales back military drills with Israel .... conducts military drills with Egypt. Hmmmm .... is someone sending a message?

Pentagon Chief Panetta Voices Confidence That Morsi Is ‘President Of All’ Egyptians

Panetta, In Cairo, Voices Confidence That Morsi Is ‘President Of All’ Egyptians -- Washington Post

CAIRO — Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta played down concerns Tuesday about a rift between Egypt’s newly elected president and its military chief following a brief stopover in Cairo aimed at giving senior U.S. officials a better sense of how the country’s first Islamist administration will govern.

The recent election of President Mohamed Morsi, a former member of the Muslim Brotherhood, has provoked unease among secular Egyptians, the military and Egyptian Christians, who worry that the country’s Islamists will upend a long tradition of secular rule.

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More News On Pentagon Chief Panetta Meeting With Egypt's New President

Pentagon chief says Egyptian leaders have vowed to steer country toward full democracy -- Washington Post/AP
Panetta praises Egypt leader for democracy resolve -- Reuters
In Cairo, Panetta Declares Support for Egypt’s New President -- New York Times
Panetta: New Egyptian president “his own man” -- CNN
Panetta Warns Egypt on Sinai as Potential Base for Terrorists -- Bloomberg Businessweek

My Comment: I do not share Panetta's "enthusiasm" .... I prefer to wait and see how they govern in the next year.

Not The Type Of Welcome That US Secretary Of State Clinton Expected In Egypt

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Egyptians Pelt Clinton Motorcade With Tomatoes -- Reuters

(Reuters) - Protesters threw tomatoes and shoes at Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's motorcade on Sunday during her first visit to Egypt since the election of Islamist President Mohamed Mursi.

A tomato struck an Egyptian official in the face, and shoes and a water bottle landed near the armored cars carrying Clinton's delegation in the port city of Alexandria after she gave a speech on democratic rights.

A senior U.S. official said neither Clinton nor her vehicle, which was around the corner from the incident, were hit by the projectiles, which were thrown as U.S. officials and reporters walked to the motorcade after her speech.

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Update: Monica chants taunt Clinton in Egypt -- Sydney Morning Herald

My Comment: The White House has projected an image (right or wrong) that it is pro-Islamic .... a situation that many in Egypt are not in favor of and are willing to launch protests against.

Hillary Clinton Offers Support For Egypt's Islamist President

In Egypt, Hillary Clinton Offers Support For Islamist President -- L.A. Times

The secretary of State, seeking a delicate balance as the U.S. recalibrates its Egypt policy, visits new President Mohamed Morsi and plans to talk with the top ruling general Sunday.

CAIRO — U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton met for the first time Saturday with new President Mohamed Morsi in a fresh push to strengthen U.S.-Egyptian relations as the country enters an era of unpredictability in which an Islamist leader is clashing with a secular military over control of the nation.

Clinton's talks with Morsi signaled a historic shift from the days when U.S. diplomats visited President Hosni Mubarak, a stalwart American partner on countering terrorism and preserving Egypt's peace treaty with Israel. With Mubarak toppled by popular revolt last year, Washington is recalibrating its approach as it deals with a freely elected president suspicious of American designs on the Middle East.

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My Comment: Nothing has been acomplished by this trip .... the only ones who are now looking good are the Islamists who feel buoyed that the U.S. is giving them credibility and international legitimacy.

U.S. Outrage Over Egyptian Demands To Release The Blind Sheik

Sheik Omar Abdel-Rahman, who masterminded the 1993 attack on the World Trade Center, is in a North Carolina prison, but is revered as a hero in

Outrage Builds As Egypt Presses For Release Of Blind Sheik Behind '93 WTC Attack -- FOX News

Egypt's new government is sparking growing outrage in the U.S. for its attempts to win the release of Sheik Omar Abdel Rahman, the blind cleric behind the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center.

In Cairo, President-elect Mohamed Morsi proclaimed to hundreds of thousands of supporters in Tahir Square on Friday that he will gain the release of Rahman, who is in a federal prison in North Carolina after having been convicted of masterminding the bombing that killed six and unsuccessfully plotting to blow up other landmarks, including the United Nations.

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My Comment: Why should we be surprised by these remarks from Egypt's President-elect Mohamed Morsi. The blind sheik is a revered hero to millions of Muslims .... and it appears that Egypt`s new President is a part of that clique.