Katatni: Protests must not be suppressed

The speaker of the new Egyptian Parliament Mohamed Saad Katatni received in his office this Monday member of the French National Assembly and head of the Egyptian-French Parliamentary Friendhship, Herve Gaymard. Katatni said, during the meeting, that it is already agreed that representatives from all forces must write the constitution, pointing that the parliament will form a panel of a 100 members, both MPs and non MPs to perform the task. “The temporary constitution gives the parliament the right to issue laws and criticize the government,” Katatni said. The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) had issued a temporary constitution last March to regulate the transitional period. This temporary constitution states that the People’s Assembly has legislative power as soon as it is elected and  has taken office. Moreover, it states that the People’s Assembly is responsible for regulating local politics, economic and social development issues as well as for monitoring the government. Regarding the ongoing protests in Egyptian streets, mostly concentrating in Tahrir and surrounding areas, Katatni stressed that the demonstrations are the “revolution’s spirit”, and should not be suppressed in the new Egypt. Following the meeting, Katatni said that France gave Egypt a one million dollar loan to fund the third phase of the subways, and a 900 million dollar loan to support Egypt’s economy in the coming phase. Egyptian PM Kamal Ganzouri is to make a press statement on Tuesday, during the parliament session, on the measures taken by his government to issue financial compensations to families of the martyrs and the revolution’s wounded. He will also address the security situation and the current economic conditions.