Presidential hopeful Amr Moussa has called on the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) to swiftly hand over power to an elected civilian president. At a popular rally held in Damietta on Tuesday, Moussa reiterated his opposition to extending the transitional period and the Emergency Law. As part of his presidential campaign, Moussa met with citizens during his tour of Damietta. Former President Anwar Sadat called himself the last pharaoh, Moussa said, but he didn't know there was another pharaoh succeeding him, referring to ousted President Hosni Mubarak. Moussa added that Egypt requires urgent reforms, like fighting corruption, which would be achieved once he assumes power. Moussa was better welcomed in Damietta than in Daqahlia Governorate, where some revolutionary youths attacked and called him a remnant of Mubarak's regime. At a press conference in the Daqahlia capital of Mansoura, Moussa said he expects to win more than 51 percent of the vote in the future presidential election. As some observers suspect Moussa of being close to the Mubarak regime, Moussa avoided criticizing the SCAF, which has been running Egypt since Mubarak's ouster on 11 February. Some presidential hopefuls and other politicians have accused the ruling military council of failing to properly run the country and provide citizens with basic services during the interim period.
