Eisa: El-Baradie did not object to storming Rabaa protests

Below is the transcript of an interview given by Egyptian politician and academic Hossam Eisa. He served deputy prime minister and minister of higher education of Egypt from July 2013 until 1 March 2014.

Hossam Eisa: El-Baradie did not object to the decision to storm the Rabaa protest camp.

Presenter: What was Mr Mohamed El-Baradie’s stance before it was stormed to disperse the protests? Where you aware of it Dr Hossam?

Hossam Eisa: No, no. What I was aware of was his stance on the day we took the decision. This was revealed to us in the cabinet meeting.

Presenter: What was his stance at the time?

Hossam Eisa: He did not object.

Presenter: So, he did not object to the decision to storm [the protests]?

Hossam Eisa: He was not present, because he was not a cabinet member. Neither he nor the president were present. What happened is that there was a telephone communication. Dr Hazem [Al-Beblawi] said precisely, word for word: “It would not be sensible for us to take this decision without the approval of the president and his deputy. I would like to say here once more, had the president or the vice president objected we would have had to reconsider the decision. We would not have cancelled it, but we would have discussed it once more so as to reach a consensus.

Presenter: So, there was no objection from the president or the vice president?

Hossam Eisa: Dr Hazem left the room, as we said, at his own request. He you have agreed but this approval is conditional upon obtaining the consent of the president and the vice president.