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Will Morsi's power grab jeopardize Mideast cease-fire?

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    Egyptian president assumes sweeping new powers

  • Duration 4:12
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Welcome back thousands of protesters filling the streets of Egypt after their president's -- daring power grab Mohamed Morsi giving himself wide ranging authority in new executive powers after helping.

To broker a mideast peace mideast cease fire.

Critics say more -- acting like a dictator early this week even the Obama administration is praising more seats for his help.

Let me -- our particular gratitude.

To president -- of Egypt for his commitment to regional security.

As well as to UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon for his diligent efforts and of course President Obama and Secretary Clinton.

Have worked tirelessly.

To bring the parties to agreement.

So how should the US handle more -- now Fox -- strategic analyst lieutenant colonel Ralph Peters.

Joins us colonel nice to see this morning you know -- -- -- -- has said I am.

I would be president of all each and every Egyptian he -- I simply did this power grab -- didn't put those words.

I simply did these these decrees because.

There are old members of the Mubarak regime the guys that you throughout that are still working that I'm trying to protect you from do you buy that.

I think.

With -- went president Morrissey was really saying -- hey democracy's great you elected me but now that's enough democracy.

Even Mubarak.

Felt obliged.

Did pay some superficial deference to the judiciary.

He's got good with Saddam Hussein to find somebody who has.

-- so much power -- it -- even -- he said nothing matters except what I say matters in my decision is final.

So it's a terrible embarrassment to the Obama administration after all the gosh this week.

And it's it's it's curious because we did is said to ourselves all the time.

More she was engaging in hate speech towards Israel Paul during the Gaza campaign he did he is able to broker a cease fire.

-- Hamas was hurting really really badly.

And suddenly our president.

And his paladins.

Elevated this guy.

To the status of global statesman he had Morrissey turns around back -- and says yeah well that's -- democracy.

Yeah I mean he saw -- headlines top of the headlines top billing in newspapers around the world for the guy -- managed to broker this peace agreement between Israel and Hamas.

And -- -- it's a power grab it now that's all in the past.

So now how do we handle Egypt and president -- -- going forward after all.

We give them billions of dollars every year in financial -- to be sort of a linchpin of peace in that region.

What do we do.

Well it's tough especially after you just engage in his words -- gushing about how wonderful -- -- The first -- you recognize our limitations.

We can only play in the markets we weren't in position to keep -- -- power we're not a position remove Morsi.

But we do have leverage because of our direct aid because of our voice in the international money monetary fund which is whose -- is very important -- development.

And -- he's fundamental problem is a very weak and anemic.

-- sensitive Egyptian economy.

So hit more hurt if necessary.

And right now it it's necessary -- certainly for the moment until he.

Acknowledges that the courts have their power and -- he accepts it.

Coptic Christians and liberals and secularist also have to have a voice in writing the new constitution.

Which is what this is really all about the -- -- party -- -- office the Muslim Brotherhood want Sharia law behind the constitution.

So we should say look fine you can do what you want.

But we're not gonna find you all you're doing it.

And you -- problem here is simply.

That democracy -- we know -- her own system is messy it requires patience it requires grudging compromise but in the Middle East.

The only tradition is a tradition of the strong man and wind things become very frustrating.

As you've seen in Iraq with the real Maliki as you see now with more -- in Egypt the default position is to become dictatorial.

Well there is lieutenant colonel Ralph Peters always some great insight certainly on this region we appreciate you joining us this morning excited -- coming up do.

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