Former Army Chief of Staff Magdi Hatata on Sunday criticized the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces’ (SCAF) performance during the transitional period. During a meeting with a number of his supporters on Sunday, Hatata described the SCAF as being “slow” in all of its actions and decisions.
Hatata, a presidential hopeful who is considered an October War hero, also served as head of the Arab Organization for Industrialization, commander of the Second Field Army, and leader of the Republican Guard.
“I refuse guardianship over the people and for the military to act as the protector of the civil state,” said Hatata. “The Egyptian people can protect themselves by themselves.”
“I support a civil state with an Islamic reference, and reject a secular or military state.”
Hatat accused SCAF of “intervening in the cabinet’s affairs and expressed his rejection of supra-constitutional principles.”
When asked about “the military’s love for power,” Hatata replied with a question: "why are people afraid of military rule?”
He continued by saying, “The armed forces did not loot the country, as people claim, and my salary as head of the staff of the armed forces was only LE2500."
Hatata stressed the need to prosecute ousted President Hosni Mubarak for corruption throughout all state institutions during his reign. He also called for prosecuting those responsible for killing peaceful protesters who called for freedom and democracy during the 25 January revolution.
“If I’m elected as president of Egypt and Mubarak was sentenced to death, I’ll carry out the sentence without hesitation,” said Hatata.
“I’ll also add three ministries to the government: a ministry concerned with slum areas and the 7 million citizens living under the poverty line, a ministry concerned with the affairs and problems of expatriates, and a ministry for people with special needs,” he said.
Hatata said Egypt did not need US aid if it would constrain Egypt's policies.
