Al-Sisi claims that the Brotherhood has a problem with Egyptians, not his government

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi claimed on Sunday that the Muslim Brotherhood has a problem with the Egyptian people, not with the government, AP has reported. The movement made a “very difficult impression” on the people of Egypt, noted Al-Sisi, which they cannot forget.

In a televised interview, Al-Sisi said that the death sentences against Brotherhood members and leaders are “initial” decisions and can be appealed against, as most of them were issued in absentia. “Whenever the suspects attend the courts,” he explained, “the cases are retried.”

The president stressed that it is impossible for there to be any interference in the work of the Egyptian judiciary. “The law has the last word in Egypt.” Regarding detained journalists, he said that they were detained when he did not have power.

Asked about Egypt-Israel relations, Al-Sisi pointed out that 40 years ago peace was seen as impossible. “But, when peace was achieved between Egypt and Israel, there was a new reality which showed what could be achieved if the Palestinian issue is resolved.”

Calling for support for the army in Egypt, he insisted that it is not used as an aggressive force. “It is there to achieve and maintain stability,” the president said. It needs support for two reasons, he added: to fight against extremism and terrorism within Egypt and to act as a balance between various powers in the region.

Al-Sisi said that Syria needs a political solution, not military action. He suggested that this could involve keeping the country unified, disarming the various groups and rebuilding Syria to allow refugees and those displaced to return.