Relaxed Political Impasse in Egypt and Visit to the United States
Despite the chaos that has erupted in Egypt and other Muslim nations during the last few weeks from outrage over the blasphemous portrayal of Prophet Muhammad, a stronger political order has transpired recently under the leadership of Muhammad Morsi. For several months since the official results confirmed him as president, imbalance over who held authoritative power loomed between him and the Supreme Court of Armed Forces, the military tribunal still in power since Egypts' previous ruler, Hosni Mubarak. Gridlock for passing constitutional reforms or appointments of new governments posts ensued due to the Supreme Court council obstructing changes that the new president intended to implement.
Most viewed the council's unwillingness to overrule decisions as it's demonstrative opposition to the large majority of a Muslim Brotherhood backed parliament. On Sunday August 12, however the president exercised his right to force the resignation of several top military leaders, paving the way for a stronger centralized control for Mohammad Morsi to implement change. Drafting a new constitution and appointing a cabinet are necessary steps that had been expected to take place already but languished due to the opposition. So in a crucial power shift and following behind closed door talks, both sides appeared to reach consensus that began with the defense minister of over 20 years, Hussein Tantawi to cede power. Resignation of several others top commanders occurred including the head of military intelligence, the army chief of staff and others. A vice-President, Mahmud Meddy, was also named who formerly served as a judge and an outspoken critic of voter fraud.
Now with the ground work, for an apparently functioning democracy in place, the final constitution and successive official appointments may be made. Mohammad Morsi today, September 23, made his first official visit to the United States since the election. The American and Obama Administration's embrace was cautionary given the recent turmoil with Egyptian citizens stampeding the embassy in Cairo. Thus Morsi accepted not to meet with Obama or administration officials but did conduct an interview with the New York Times. Amongst a long dialogue of multiple topics, the Egyptian leader made his stance on America's Arab diplomacy clear. He acknowledged that Egypt's pacifist coziness to Israel will not continue unconditionally as had been the case as part of a financial incentive plan between the U.S. and Hosni Mubarak.
The new Egyptian leader commented on the right for a Palestinian statehood and the US's recognition of the '78 Camp David Accord for the land's autocracy. Morsi declared the equal rights of all citizens of Egypt and reminisced about his years of living in the United States as a doctorate student of Material Sciences at USC. The duration of the leader's stay in unknown and will include a Sunday evening meeting with the UN General Assembly.