The leader of the house - that is the eldest MP - Dr Mahmoud El Sakka opened the first session before the election of the speaker and his two
deputies. Dr El-Sakka, 81, a member of Wafd, asked for recognition of the more
than 800
Egyptians who had been killed in the protests that led to the overthrow of the
former regime. “I invite the distinguished assembly to stand and read the fatiha (Muslim
prayer) in memory of the martyrs of the 25 January revolution ... because the
blood of
the martyrs is what brought this day.”
Each new MP then had to read the oath. This process was going smoothly until Mamdouh Ismail of the Al-Asala, a Salafist party, added the phrase “in whatever does not contradict God's law”. The speaker rebuked him and told him to stick to the original text.
Prime Minister Kamal El-Ganzouri, who is not a member of parliament, also marked what has become known as 25
January Revolution Day. He commemorated those who gave their lives: “They have sacrificed for the sake of the nation and for achieving freedom,
democracy and social justice.” But he showed also where his loyalties lay by
paying
obeisance to the army: “I salute the brave military council for meeting its
promises.”
For more news and expert analysis about Egypt, please see Egypt Politics & Security.
© 2012 Menas Associates