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Top Morsy aide: Small, powerful minority behind Egypt's political upheaval
[CNN] A top aide to Egyptian President Mohamed Morsy blamed a small but powerful minority for the political upheaval that has plagued the country ahead of a planned constitutional referendum.The statements are the latest in a volley of accusations between Morsy's supporters and opponents, and they highlight a political crisis that at times has spilled into the streets, prompting the president to deploy troops and tanks to protect government buildings. "You have the majority of the poor people, the simple, definitely for the president and for the constitution," Muhammad Rifaa al-Tahtawi, Morsy's chief of staff, told CNN on Sunday. "You have a majority among the elite who are not for this constitution. Businessmen, media people. They are definitely a small minority, but powerful minority." Al-Tahtawi's comments followed calls by the opposition for new, nationwide protests while accusing Morsy of risking a "violent confrontation" by moving forward with the scheduled vote Saturday. But al-Tahtawi dismissed the threat, saying the issue would be decided by the people. "If we do not manage to come to terms, let us go to the people," he said. Posted by: Fred 2012-12-11 |
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