February 10, 2011 - 2:46 pm
Wolf Blitzer had to wring it out of him, but Sameh Shoukry, Egypt’s Ambassador to the US, just told the CNN correspondent that Mubarak is, in effect, a figurehead. He said that all power – including power over the military – had been transferred to Vice President Suleiman.
Mubarak remains president in name only. The ambassador notes that it is possible that at some future date prior to the September elections, Mubarak may ask for those powers back, although the constitutional issues involved are murky.
When asked why Mubarak didn’t just come out and state this, Shoukry didn’t know. But he is prepared to relay these facts to the US government today.
Curiouser and curiouser…
Its the Constitution. If Mubarak steps down completely, or permanently, elections are in 60 days. If he does not step down, but takes, for example, an extended medical leave of absence, elections are in September.
Meanwhile, there are Constitutional amendments to consider, and laws to repeal before decent elections can be held. For example, the very short period currently allowed for electioneering has been a source of complaint. Further, whether they know it or not, the Jan25 group needs some time to organize.
He may well have done the right thing.