Egypt Ambassador to US Tells CNN Suleiman is 'De Facto' President

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…