Egypt rejects Syria strikes: The ghost of Pan-Arabism resurface

[Lux de Veritas]

CAIRO: Egypt's foreign minister says his country strongly opposes military action against Syria and would not support possible punitive strikes by the United States and allies against the Syrian regime over alleged use of chemical weapons.

Nabil Fahmy says in a statement Thursday that Egypt condemns chemical weapons use by any side in Syria's civil war and is asking the international community to bring perpetrators to justice after a U.N. team investigating submits findings.

Egypt opposes Syria strikes, would not participate | News , Middle East | THE DAILY STAR

Reports of a planned military strike by Western powers against Syria are meeting opposition from several Egyptian political groups.
"The April 6 youth movement rejects any foreign military intervention in Syria," group founder Ahmed Maher told the Anadolu Agency on Tuesday.
He added that his group "will ask Egyptian authorities to reject any such military strike".
The United States and Western allies are reportedly preparing a military strike against Syria over the alleged use of chemical weapons by President Bashar al-Assad's regime.
"We are against any military intervention in any Arab country and we reject any Egyptian support for such a strike," Mustafa al-Hagri, spokesman of the April 6 movement Democratic Front, told the AA.
The Salafist Nour Party has also reiterated opposition to any "foreign intervention" in Syria.
"We hoped to see real Arab efforts to prevent bloodshed and undermine any pretext for foreign interference," spokesperson Sherif Taha told the AA.
"We reject foreign intervention in Syria," he said, adding that the party will ask the Egyptian government to oppose such a strike.
The Tamarod (rebellion) movement, which spearheaded protests that led to the ouster of Egypt's elected President Mohamed Morsi, also echoed opposition to foreign intervention in Syria.
"Syria has become a scene for score-settling and has turned from a revolution to an American-planned armed conflict aimed at turning the Arab-Israeli conflict into a Sunni-Shiite conflict," the group's communication officer Mohamed Abdel-Aziz said.
"The Egyptian people will not stand silent and will oppose such intervention in sisterly Syria," he added.
Former presidential candidate Hamdeen Sabahi urged Arab governments and peoples "to close ranks against any Western aggression on Syria".
"History tells that any assault on Egypt always starts by striking Syria," he tweeted.
Sabahi's Popular Current group urged Egyptian authorities and Arab countries to "categorically reject any threats of striking Syria" and called for an urgent Arab summit to take a stance against "aggression and plots aimed at undermining the Syrian army".
Official opposition
Political analyst Monzer Suleiman believes that any strike against Syria will be opposed by Egyptian authorities.
"Any military action in Syria will be rejected by the Egyptian leadership, whether the government or the army," Suleiman, the director of the Washington-based US-Arab Studies Center, told the AA.
He expected the Egyptian leadership to "take measures against any intervention either by blocking facilities to the US, preventing the use of its airspace or preventing transit through the Suez Canal."
"The military establishment will have a wider margin of freedom in criticizing Washington, particularly that the Egyptian and Syrian military institutions have 'natural solidarity' since the 1973 war," he said, in reference to the 1973 war in which both Egypt and Syria fought together against Israel.
Relations between Cairo and Washington have strained since Morsi's removal on July 3 after mass protests against his presidency.
Wahid Abdel-Maguid, a leader of the National Salvation Front, said Egypt should do "nothing" in case of any military strike against Syria.
"Though Egyptian sentiments and nationalist powers are united against any US aggression on Syria, it would be better for Egypt to do nothing, even condemnation," he argued.
Abdel-Maguid said Egypt was waging a "more important war" than what is happening in Syria, stressing that "Egypt's victory in this war will be a victory for the whole region and consequently a victory for Syria".

Egyptian groups reject military intervention in Syria | Africa | World Bulletin

If Morsi and Mubarak were to be in charged, USA will get support for attacking Syria. This time, Egyptians align with Pan Arabism rather than Islamism. They gravitates towards Syrian Baath party who have roots in Pan Arabism.

If such trend continues, it will spell the end of the Gulf Monarch.

 

[Wholegrain]

CAIRO: Egypt's foreign minister says his country strongly opposes military action against Syria and would not support possible punitive strikes by the United States and allies against the Syrian regime over alleged use of chemical weapons.

Nabil Fahmy says in a statement Thursday that Egypt condemns chemical weapons use by any side in Syria's civil war and is asking the international community to bring perpetrators to justice after a U.N. team investigating submits findings.

Egypt opposes Syria strikes, would not participate | News , Middle East | THE DAILY STAR

Reports of a planned military strike by Western powers against Syria are meeting opposition from several Egyptian political groups.
"The April 6 youth movement rejects any foreign military intervention in Syria," group founder Ahmed Maher told the Anadolu Agency on Tuesday.
He added that his group "will ask Egyptian authorities to reject any such military strike".
The United States and Western allies are reportedly preparing a military strike against Syria over the alleged use of chemical weapons by President Bashar al-Assad's regime.
"We are against any military intervention in any Arab country and we reject any Egyptian support for such a strike," Mustafa al-Hagri, spokesman of the April 6 movement Democratic Front, told the AA.
The Salafist Nour Party has also reiterated opposition to any "foreign intervention" in Syria.
"We hoped to see real Arab efforts to prevent bloodshed and undermine any pretext for foreign interference," spokesperson Sherif Taha told the AA.
"We reject foreign intervention in Syria," he said, adding that the party will ask the Egyptian government to oppose such a strike.
The Tamarod (rebellion) movement, which spearheaded protests that led to the ouster of Egypt's elected President Mohamed Morsi, also echoed opposition to foreign intervention in Syria.
"Syria has become a scene for score-settling and has turned from a revolution to an American-planned armed conflict aimed at turning the Arab-Israeli conflict into a Sunni-Shiite conflict," the group's communication officer Mohamed Abdel-Aziz said.
"The Egyptian people will not stand silent and will oppose such intervention in sisterly Syria," he added.
Former presidential candidate Hamdeen Sabahi urged Arab governments and peoples "to close ranks against any Western aggression on Syria".
"History tells that any assault on Egypt always starts by striking Syria," he tweeted.
Sabahi's Popular Current group urged Egyptian authorities and Arab countries to "categorically reject any threats of striking Syria" and called for an urgent Arab summit to take a stance against "aggression and plots aimed at undermining the Syrian army".
Official opposition
Political analyst Monzer Suleiman believes that any strike against Syria will be opposed by Egyptian authorities.
"Any military action in Syria will be rejected by the Egyptian leadership, whether the government or the army," Suleiman, the director of the Washington-based US-Arab Studies Center, told the AA.
He expected the Egyptian leadership to "take measures against any intervention either by blocking facilities to the US, preventing the use of its airspace or preventing transit through the Suez Canal."
"The military establishment will have a wider margin of freedom in criticizing Washington, particularly that the Egyptian and Syrian military institutions have 'natural solidarity' since the 1973 war," he said, in reference to the 1973 war in which both Egypt and Syria fought together against Israel.
Relations between Cairo and Washington have strained since Morsi's removal on July 3 after mass protests against his presidency.
Wahid Abdel-Maguid, a leader of the National Salvation Front, said Egypt should do "nothing" in case of any military strike against Syria.
"Though Egyptian sentiments and nationalist powers are united against any US aggression on Syria, it would be better for Egypt to do nothing, even condemnation," he argued.
Abdel-Maguid said Egypt was waging a "more important war" than what is happening in Syria, stressing that "Egypt's victory in this war will be a victory for the whole region and consequently a victory for Syria".

Egyptian groups reject military intervention in Syria | Africa | World Bulletin

If Morsi and Mubarak were to be in charged, USA will get support for attacking Syria. This time, Egyptians align with Pan Arabism rather than Islamism. They gravitates towards Syrian Baath party who have roots in Pan Arabism.

If such trend continues, it will spell the end of the Gulf Monarch.

Egypt's policies have nothing to do with the citizens of Gulf countries. The citizens of gulf countries will not support Nasserist or Baathist pan Arabism, don't be ridiculous.

 

[Mahmoud_EGY]

If such trend continues, it will spell the end of the Gulf Monarch.

Egyptian people and government dont want to harm Gulf countries they support us in our time of need and we will never forget that
but we dont think a military strike would not do any good for syrians and the whole region we hope for a political solution which could stop the killings and destruction in syria

 

[Lux de Veritas]

Egypt's policies have nothing to do with the citizens of Gulf countries. The citizens of gulf countries will not support Nasserist or Baathist pan Arabism, don't be ridiculous.

You are wrong. Egypt is the seat of Al Azhar, the highest Sunni institution that is the closest equivalent to Vatican. Anything in Egypt will have great repercussion in Arab world.

The Gulf people today do not want to share their oil wealth and are not convinced to a greater Arabia. This is the result of a welfare state originated originated from King Faisal which has more or less pacify the citizens. However, a successful socialist Egypt will convince the rest of Arab world other models are working.

Before, Nasser is on the way of modernizing Egypt. Egypt under Nasser recorded impressive economic growth under socialism. After Nasser Egypt largely stagnate especially under Mubarak.

 

[Wholegrain]

You are wrong. Egypt is the seat of Al Azhar, the highest Sunni institution that is the closest equivalent to Vatican. Anything in Egypt will have great repercussion in Arab world.

The Gulf people today do not want to share their oil wealth and are not convinced to a greater Arabia. This is the result of a welfare state originated originated from King Faisal which has more or less pacify the citizens. However, a successful socialist Egypt will convince the rest of Arab world other models are working.

Before, Nasser is on the way of modernizing Egypt. Egypt under Nasser recorded impressive economic growth under socialism. After Nasser Egypt largely stagnate especially under Mubarak.

People can ignore al-azhar whenever they want to. Its not regarded as infallible. When Nasser appointed his own men at al-azhar, devout and pious people just ignored whatever they said.

Al azhar and Egypt have not been controlled by the Ismaili Fatimids for hundreds of years. Ismailis might regard their Imam as infallible but Sunnis do not.

And as for welfare state, if people are getting money from their rulers they are guaranteed to NOT want to change the current political system. Nasser also relied on massive support from the Soviet Union.

Egypt also has over 80 million people along the Nile river valley and imports tons of grain from Russia. Egypt is one of the world's biggest importers of wheat and dependent on Russian grain. Its guaranteed that whatever system gets set up is not going to work without the support of its neighbors and billions of dollars from the Gulf which have been already pledged.

If Egypt wants to wean itself off grain imports from Russia, which Russia might cut off if it wants to cause instability in the region, it will have to rely on a stable supply from Sudan, which will need to open up millions of more feddan to agricultural cultivation.

 

[Juice]

It is easy to oppose a strike when you are incapable of making one. Not saying the Egyptian Armed forces aren't strong....they are just busy at the moment. PS...notice how the kerfluffle in Egypt has dropped right off the radar?

 

[Developereo]

Smoke and mirrors...

The Saudi/US stooge is just blowing smoke to make people think that he isn't one.

 

[Yzd Khalifa]

@Lux de Veritas

If such trend continues, it will spell the end of the Gulf Monarch.

Bro, we " Saudis " don't believe in Arabism whatsoever, in fact, those who market Pan-Arabism are the least candidate of being called an Arab. Therefore, the issue is a matter of no concern to us.

The Gulf people today do not want to share their oil wealth and are not convinced to a greater Arabia. This is the result of a welfare state originated originated from King Faisal which has more or less pacify the citizens. However, a successful socialist Egypt will convince the rest of Arab world other models are working.

What do you mean by sharing their wealth? Each country has its own wealth belonging to her and her only.


KSA didn't go welfare suing Faisal's days bro, you're wrong.

 

[Lux de Veritas]

@Lux de Veritas
Bro, we " Saudis " don't believe in Arabism whatsoever, in fact, those who market Pan-Arabism are the least candidate of being called an Arab. Therefore, the issue is a matter of no concern to us.

Why a Pan Arabist is least candidate of being called an Arab? I do not see your logic.

 

[Yzd Khalifa]

Why a Pan Arabist is least candidate of being called an Arab? I do not see your logic.

Well,

Historically, those who propagated for Pan-Arabism weren't actually Arabs such as Nassir.

 

[Doritos11]

Actually the only reason Saudis never got into these ideologies is the having a monarchy, Yemen experiences pan arabism.

 

[al-Hasani]

Well,

Historically, those who propagated for Pan-Arabism weren't actually Arabs such as Nassir.

Arabism is deeply rooted in every Arab. As being extremely proud of who we are. Don't confuse POLITICAL/SOCIALIST movements such as Ba'athism and SOCIALIST Pan-Arabism with Arabism by heart.

Pan-Arabism is nothing new. You might read about the Arab Revolt and the Hashemite Kings. All strongly convinced of an Arab world and they were from the heartland of Hijaz in Makkah of the most respected Arab lineage in the world.

Gamal Abdel Nasser was an Arab as you get. Like most Egyptians from the South who are often from Hijaz or elsewhere in the Arab world.

According to biographer Robert Stephens, the inhabitants of Beni Mur belonged to an Arab tribe that hailed from the Hejaz—the western part of the Arabian Peninsula. Stephens said Nasser's family had tribal inclinations and a sense of personal loyalty, differing from that of most Egyptians. Gamal Abdel Nasser's daughter, Hoda, said she was not informed of her family's lineage, but suspects the claim of its Arabian descent to be accurate. In addition, Gamal's biographers wrote that his family believed strongly in the "Arab notion of glory,"[4] citing the naming of Gamal's brother, Izz al-Arab ("Glory of the Arabs"); the name is a rare occurrence in Egypt, as well as other parts of the Arab world.[5]

Doritos11: Yes, most Yemenis have a Pan-Arabic outlook meaning that they want unity in the Arab world. Not necessarily a B'aathi or socialist pan-Arabic outlook, LOL. Many confuse all that for some reason.

There are 450 million of us Arabs (when the big diaspora is included) and I am sure that 95% of us want unity between us if possible or at least friendly ties.

 

[Yzd Khalifa]

@al-Hasani

The context in which we were discussing Pan-Arabism was exclusively related to political movements, only.

Actually the only reason Saudis never got into these ideologies is the having a monarchy, Yemen experiences pan arabism.

We are the originators of the Arabian culture, why do we have to put ourselves in the same scale of yours

 

[Doritos11]

@al-Hasani

The context in which we were discussing Pan-Arabism was exclusively related to political movements, only.


We are the originators of the Arabian culture, why do we have to put ourselves in the same scale of yours

Ask Yemen first, it‘s a political ideology which was mainly active in alliance with the soviet union, Saudi Arabia was on the side of the US and against all this. Different situation with Yemen, whom are real Arabs I assume ?

Besides what scale ? I don’t see anyone of us trying to be Arabian, Egypt,Iraq,Syria we have history that surpasses Arabia’s by far.
Arab has been used as a political ideology to unify countries.

 

[Yzd Khalifa]

We just don't give a rat about the so-called Pan-Arabism, as we tend to look to the world in a different way. Aside we harbor the holy land, if it helps ...

Ask Yemen first, it‘s a political ideology which was mainly active in alliance with the soviet union, Saudi Arabia was on the side of the US and against all this. Different situation with Yemen, whom are real Arabs I assume ?

Besides what scale ? I don’t see anyone of us trying to be Arabian, Egypt,Iraq,Syria we have history that surpasses Arabia’s by far.
Arab has been used as a political ideology to unify countries.