Mubarak resigns fate to Suleiman

Omar Suleiman has sworn in as Egypt’s new vice president amid a tumultuous uprising of people that pose a serious threat to the destruction of the entire dictatorial regime and the political lives of both Mubarak and Suleiman.

Press TV talks with Nabil al-Samman about the implications of this appointment at this point in time. Following is the transcript of the interview.

Press TV: Mr. al-Samman, about Egypt’s new vice president Omar Suleiman who has been sworn in – Of course, he was the former intelligence chief. Why do you think that Hosni Mubarak would appoint this particular individual as first vice president at this point in time? Because obviously he does not have a very positive record in the eyes of the Egyptian people, being that he was the head of the intelligence ministry, which has been seen as being very brutal toward Egyptian people, so how do you see this – why him?

al-Samman: I believe the fate of Suleiman is the same fate as Mubarak. Both of them are fighting for their political lives; Suleiman and Mubarak together. Suleiman doesn’t want to give up and he fears for his life now more than the president so this is a very ticklish situation for both of them.

Press TV: Why do you say that Suleiman is fearing for his life more than the president?

al-Samman: Why? Because he was responsible for so many things: He was the right hand for Mubarak in what happened in Gaza; in what happened with the US about the peace process; he’s had a good relationship with the Israelis and was instrumental in breaking the opposition of Egypt; the right hand of Mubarak was intelligence so the political life of both of them is at stake.

I believe that Mubarak thinks that by appointing Suleiman, he is scaring the public. But, there is another scenario that Suleiman has pressured the 82-year old Mubarak who cannot handle the stress of the current situation. Suleiman’s picture was on the streets of Cairo several months ago; he is trying to be the president – he wants to replace Mubarak and this suits the aim of the US and Israel.

Press TV: Let’s look at that second scenario that you’ve just posed that Suleiman would want to be president and that Israel and the US would want that. Would it then be fair to say that this is a man detached from reality considering the violent scenario that we have witnessed over the past few days and the crowds gaining momentum every day? As you pointed out he has been head of the intelligence ministry and there is a lot of resentment from the Egyptian people. Why would he want that position? It seems like it would be very dangerous or costly at this point in time for him to even try to accept that position. How do you see it?

al-Samman: Well, the intelligence service in Egypt is very strong still, regardless of what we see on the street, they have the upper hand in many ways. He may use brutal means to crush the uprising. I don’t know what the events will be in the next few months or days, but the image of Mubarak was tarnished yesterday when the people called on Mubarak to leave for Saudi Arabia. Mubarak’s image is not the same anymore after this uprising. Suleiman though is still untouched in terms of image regardless of his record. He is a new-comer to the scene and he was not tarnished as a political leader or part of the images on the street where people spit on Mubarak’s picture or step on his pictures, calling him names and writing on the tanks “Down with Mubarak.”
Press TV: Do you think this is more like a political game of strategy on Mubarak’s part? Or do you think it is Suleiman forcing himself to this position? Of course, vice president is a post that Mubarak held under former dictator or President Anwar Sadat before he was assassinated.

al-Samman: I believe Suleiman forced himself on Mubarak because Mubarak was not able to handle the situation over the past two days. He said he was to come up with something, but he was not able to give anything to the people; he thought that by giving a speech he would calm the situation, but he was not able.

So here we have the intelligence service telling Mubarak that we are protecting you if we step on the situation. So I believe Suleiman will protect Mubarak’s life at least during this situation and I believe there is a semi coup d’état going on at this minute.

Press TV: At this point in time what do you think is needed by the Egyptian people? Their goal or what is being said on the streets is that they want Mubarak to go. In order for them to reach that goal, what do you think they have to do?

al-Samman: They should continue demonstrating. The opposition should unite and force some kind of compromise. The opposition was weakened by Mubarak, but they have to come up with a replacement; some viable replacement, but there is a political vacuum at this point.

So that’s the reason Suleiman will come up and say I will protect Egypt’s security; there is a chaotic situation in Egypt …