CAIRO: Minister of Information Osama Heikal warned against Facebook calls for breaking into the headquarters of the Cabinet, Maspero, the People's Assembly and the Ministry of Defense, saying they are a threat to democracy and reinforce the need to stretch the reign of the current transitional government. During his appearance on talk show Al-Ashera Masa'an on Tuesday, Heikal only 55 days in his tenure, he is already victim to rumor mongering which prompts Maspero employees to hold sit-ins. Heikal denied rumors that he offered LE 4 million to anchor Mahmoud El-Werwary, who currently works at Mehwar TV, to work for State TV, calling it "impossible." In response to accusations that he is cut off from the rapid changes in the Egyptian media, Heikal explained that Maspero is facing the "ugly truth." "With idle human resources, a debt of LE13.5 billon, and the fact that the loud voices are what are heard, we are facing a tragedy by all means," he said, adding that actual change primarily requires overcoming these obstacles. Furthermore, the minister of information denied "engaging in a game of musical chairs" in Maspero in reshuffling some of the departments. He said that there are empty posts at the moment, such as heading the Media Production City, after Sayyed Helmy resigned. Heikal also expressed his respect towards the military council, warning people against attempts to create tension between them and the army, especially since it has always acted as a protective force for Egypt.
