Egypt & Israel/Speculating at UN

Independent Films, Web Series, Politics

Ambassador Mageed Abdul-Aziz, Permanent Representative of Egypt to the United Nations spoke to the press in New York UNHQ as the fate of his country has increasingly become a topic at the United Nations. Ambassasor Abdul-Aziz is an old colleague, a capable deputy then during the 1990's when Bosnia & Herzegovina was a frequent theme at the UN. I fear that the longer that it takes to achieve change, the more likely that capable diplomats may become lost to future Egyptian governments by becoming collateral casualties in the efforts of Cairo's current leadership to cling to power.

When asked about whether Israel has asked Mubarak not to step down, Abdelaziz said “that’s the wrong thing to say,” once again reiterating the need for constitutional change in the country.

The protests in Egypt started just weeks after anti-government demonstrations led to the ouster of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in Tunisia earlier last month.

Transcripts / Production notes / Scripts

Egyptian Ambassador Maged A. Abdelaziz briefed journalists on the political situation in his country at the United Nations (UN) headquarters in New York today (8 January 2011).

Speaking after UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Abdelaziz said that “constitutional changes have to take its course” in order for any political changes to take place in the country.

He explained that, as required by the constitution, President Hosni Mubarak has to first “amend the constitution in order to ensure that people’s assembly in its new configuration is going to adopt the changes in the constitution,” after which “elections for the new President are going to start.”

When asked about whether Israel has asked Mubarak not to step down, Abdelaziz said “that’s the wrong thing to say,” once again reiterating the need for constitutional change in the country.

The protests in Egypt started just weeks after anti-government demonstrations led to the ouster of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in Tunisia earlier last month.

Tags

• Egypt
• democracy
• demonstrations

Directors:

• Muhamed Sacirbey, UNTV

Producers:

• Susan Sacirbey