MB Chairman: Parliament Should Oversee Military Budget

MB Chairman: Parliament Should Oversee Military Budget

During an interview with TV presenter Wael Ibrashi, in ‘Al-Haqiqa’ (The Truth) program, on ‘Dream 2’ satellite channel, Friday evening, Dr. Mohamed Badie, Chairman of the Muslim Brotherhood (MB), said that the MB are pondering the intricate details and strategies of how to best achieve real progress and rejuvenation for Egypt. “Meanwhile, the people are patiently waiting for us to fulfil our promises and pledges. This we will do – through coordination with and national consensus among all patriotic stakeholders and political forces, through concerted efforts and cooperation, in order for all to partake in the construction of Egypt, because this homeland will not rise and prosper except with good endeavours of all Egyptians.

Dr. Badie reaffirmed that the Egyptian people have chosen democracy and selected their representative MPs, adding that everyone must respect the will and choice of the people: "Had democracy yielded victory for our competitors, we would certainly have respected that. In any event, Parliament is not a trophy, prize or reward. On the contrary, it is a burden, a responsibility, a commitment and a challenge, where failures will be rigorously held to account for substandard or poor performance, and the people will reject them, substituting them with better, more capable MPs.”

Dr. Badie pointed that parliament will not have to shoulder the burden alone, and that local councils will play a major role in reforming the country’s infrastructure: “This void will not be filled except with the participation of all stakeholders and forces in carrying this burden, this responsibility.”

"We want to get Egypt out to safety, to prevent any backpedaling or setbacks, by choosing a consensus president and a consensus, coalition cabinet: the state model best suited to Egypt at the current stage is a mixed system,” he asserted.


With regard to the anniversary of the revolution, Dr. Badie underlined the need to restore the January 25 spirit of unity among the people, rejecting all claims of the so-called ‘second revolution’.

The MB Chairman stressed that all national and patriotic stakeholders, parties and forces gathered under the dome of Al-Azhar, and agreed on commemorating the anniversary of the revolution and pledging to fulfil its demands.

With regard to the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF), Dr. Badie reiterated the position of the Brotherhood, stating that the MB’s stance is clear: if SCAF errs, it must be corrected and held accountable for its mistakes; and if it acts honorably, it must be applauded. He emphasized that no-one should be disrespectful of the Egyptian people’s armed forces.

The Brotherhood Chairman added: "If mistakes were made against any parties, institutions or individuals, they must be reported to the judicial bodies; and if we are on route to the freely- elected parliament, we should be able to publicly hold to account all those who make mistakes, whether ministers or others," explaining that "the People’s Assembly is the only authority that will represent the will of the Egyptian people; it will endeavour to achieve their demands and protect their rights."

Dr. Badie pointed out that the elected parliament is entitled to hold to task all state institutions, particularly the military establishment, and no institution should be above the rule of the people, adding that Parliament has the authority to determine the budget of the military through a special committee that will be set up for the purpose, with an eye to protecting Egypt’s borders and safeguarding its security.

Responding to a question about the visit of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, Badie said: “The purpose of this visit to the Muslim Brotherhood was to convey concern for the low participation of women and youth in Parliament, and also to explore the Brotherhood’s position with regard to commitment to the Camp David Accords. I told Carter: ‘You are the only one still alive of those who signed these Accords; the other two have already left for the Heavenly Court of Justice: tell me what you think of the fairness of these Accords’. Carter replied that the Palestinians suffered great injustice because of this agreement. I told him that the Muslim Brotherhood and the Egyptian people do not breach any agreement or covenant, but others do."

On the subject of Dr. Mohamed ElBaradei’s withdrawal from presidential candidacy, Dr. Badie criticized such action, especially in the current critical phase which requires everyone to partake in the rejuvenation of the country. He urged ElBaradei to reverse his decision and engage in political competition, noting that the Brotherhood stands at the same distance from everyone. He praised Dr. ElBaradei, hailing his noble character and stately stature, adding that "we were the first supporters of the seven demands in his National Association for Change campaign."

Dr. Badie stressed that the MB has not nominated or endorsed anyone for the presidential election, but the Brotherhood partners with all patriotic and national parties, stakeholders and forces in the selection of a consensus nominee on the basis of rules and criteria that do not favor anyone and determine the qualities and characteristics of the next Egyptian president. The MB Chairman mentioned that: "We supported Dr. ElBaradei’s demands – as sought by the Egyptian people, too – because we focus on noble principles, not individuals."

In conclusion, talking about art, Dr. Badie mentioned that he assured Actors’ Syndicate Chairman Ashraf Abdel Ghafour that no-one has a right of custody of art, but that it certainly is better to have meaningful art that elevates moral values and aspirations of society, and that the MB will provide alternative art productions capable of competing with existing material, that will be recreational, entertaining and morally elevating.