Muslim Brotherhood official calls on West to provide financial aid, diplomatic support to Egypt

Arab Herald (ANI) Sunday 5th February, 2012

Egypt is on the brink of political and economic collapse and the West has an obligation to sustain the country with financial aid and diplomatic support, a senior Muslim Brotherhood official has warned.

Khairat El-Shater, deputy supreme guide of the Islamist movement that dominates Egyptian parliament claimed the United States and Europe are neglecting Egypt following a popular uprising toppled former president Hosni Mubarak's regime.

"The democratic transition in Egypt is hanging in the balance. We strongly advise the Americans and the Europeans to support Egypt during this critical period as compensation for the many years they supported a brutal dictatorship," the Washington Post quoted Shater, as saying.

Shater warned that economic meltdown in Egypt would "transform a peaceful revolution into a hunger revolution" threatening U.S. interests in the region.

His warning comes in the wake of escalating tensions in the US-Egypt ties amid reports that the White House is pressing Egypt's interim government to hasten a transition to civilian rule.

Shater has emerged as a powerful voice in Engpt after the toppling of the Mubarak regime.

His investment returns are thought to be so crucial to the sustainability of the Brotherhood's charitable works that his assets were seized several years ago by the government.

Shater emphasized that his assets are still in government's custody and added that exiled Brotherhood members are still living abroad over fear they would be arrested if they returned to Egypt.

"The army has been ruling Egypt for more than 60 years. The transition from military rule will take a gradual approach, though this does not sit well with those who take to the streets demanding that the military leave immediately," he said. (ANI)