A soldier stands behind a veiled woman opposition supporter at Tahrir Square in Cairo February 13, 2011. Egypt’s new military rulers, who have promised to hand power to civilians, faced impatient protesters on Sunday who want swift steps to prove their nation is set for democracy after Hosni Mubarak’s overthrow. (REUTERS/Goran Tomasevic)
The Egyptian military today announced that they will honor the country’s treaty with Israel.
The Wall Street Journal reported:
Egypt’s new military rulers indicated Saturday they would abide by the country’s peace treaty with Israel and said they aim to ensure a peaceful transition to elections and a “free democratic state.”
A day after the ouster of Egypt’s longstanding president, Hosni Mubarak, the country’s Supreme Council of the Armed Forces issued a communiqué saying the country “is committed to all regional and international obligations and treaties.” Those treaties include its 1979 peace agreement with Israel.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the announcement, saying the peace agreement “has greatly contributed to both countries and is the cornerstone of peace and stability in the entire Middle East.”
The military rulers said Egypt’s current cabinet would remain in power until a new government was formed. They pledged to insure “a peaceful transition of power in the framework of a free and democratic system.” The new elected government “will rule the country to build a free democratic state,” the statement said. It didn’t set a timetable for the transition to democracy.