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Egypt's president claims sweeping new powers

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    Mohammed Morsi grants himself immunity from judicial oversight

  • Duration 6:05
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Let's talk a little bit more about what's going on -- the balance of power seems to be shifting rapidly throughout the Middle East ever since -- Arab Spring.

A closer look now -- what's happening in Egypt and how it affects the rest of the region -- -- now.

Has served as spokesman for the last four US ambassadors to the UN.

Mohamed -- was something of a hero to the United States last week when he helped broker that cease fire.

Between Israel and Hamas in Gaza now what's going on.

Yeah my what six weeks will do because just six weeks ago with President Obama saying that Egypt and -- Wasn't really an enemy and they weren't really.

Are higher.

Friend.

I was an an ally and so now six weeks later we see it secretary of state Hillary Clinton -- seen over the fact.

That Egypt was able to broker this the cease fire clearly John.

The cease fire is great news sure and I think that the Egyptian president.

Does deserve credit for for brokering that -- he -- -- to Gaza.

He he tried to do what he could I think most observers were a little bit uncomfortable with what he was -- inside Gaza.

And and I think he came down on hamas' side a little bit too much she is a leader of the Muslim Brotherhood.

And so we were a little bit concerned with his actions but then when the cease fire happened separate scary secretary of state Hillary Clinton stood next to him.

And really just gushed over the fact that he was able to produce this cease -- so do you think then you -- price.

Well do you think that with these -- with his backing of of the secretary of state he just assumed that he could now walk on water and he can make this incredible power grab in Egypt.

Yeah I didn't and I think there's no question that this had something to do with that when when the greatest power in the world is gushing over you -- win.

I think you begin to believe your press releases and think that you're doing a great job.

It's it's an inexperienced.

To move by -- -- inexperienced.

Leader.

And I'm not talking about President Obama -- actually -- enough president Morrissey.

That the fact that did this administration the Obama administration was the wait too quick and way too effusive in their praise for -- -- I think set him up for a power grab move like that's.

Well just -- our viewers know what he has done he has said.

And that any of the decisions he has made since he assumed the presidency from Hosni Mubarak well actually from a from a military tribunal but but since he assumed the president in June presidency in June.

Any of those decisions he has made cannot be challenged by the courts basically he's saying everything I've done.

Is perfect and good for Egypt and and cannot be challenged.

And he nullify as the courts in essence he's trying to say that I have.

Unequivocal power and and that's the problem I think that we've we've seen grown leaning in the Middle East is that.

When when we have some of these revolts and we're moving towards people in the street demanding more freedoms.

That the leaders miss read that that power or that.

That push forward their leadership into a power grab.

Situation and and that's where I think the United States can do a better job we can privately.

Compliment.

Moves like the cease fire without immediately being too -- publicly which gives them a sense of power that they really don't have.

Hosni Mubarak was pushed out of the presidency in Egypt in part because of you know citizen outrage at the street level.

Over the powers he had assumed for himself he sort of ran that country by by fiat.

Now all this guy isn't well among other things ordered a new trial for.

Hosni Mubarak why.

Well you know I think it's a popular move inside the country in some ways and he's just plain to some of the constituencies -- to his base but.

But the violence.

In Egypt that we're seen over this power grab move by by the president.

Is clearly an indication that the egyptians are not quite settled on his leadership yet they're not comfortable.

And I think that's where our press hear the liberal media really is miss.

Interpreting what's going on in Egypt because even our press John.

With very effusive towards president more c.'s -- of this cease fire clearly we can compliment -- without.

Got seen so much that that really then begins to distort the story well Hillary Clinton the secretary of state was there -- obviously in Egypt said some very nice things about.

About Mohamed Morsi.

Given what he has just done in his gigantic power grab what should she say what should she do now for the all or President Obama either one of -- We -- -- in my experience with diplomacy you can say one thing privately and say quite another publicly say you can be effusive.

And complementary to the president privately but at the press conference in front of the media I think you should be more measured.

You know and PR.

Reported on this and they they actually said.

That it was a ringing endorsement.

Of -- -- Islamist leader that's what they described Hillary Clinton's comments that.

And I think that's the message that we don't want we don't want to send a message.

That no matter what -- he does now that we are totally behind and I thought that President Obama saying.

In September you know I'm not sure if Egypt is an ally.

Or a friend the an ally sworn enemy yet I thought that was a really good message because it believes the Egyptian leader on his toes -- it.

Reminds him that he's gotten -- to produce a lot more before he gets unequivocal and unequivocal.

You know acceptance from the United States including money -- and fifty million dollars a year.

Egypt to pivotal country in that part of the world gets a lot of American -- 85 million non residents and -- Egypt is unstable let's not good news for anybody.

-- -- -- Thank you.

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