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CAIRO – Two election front-runners, a former foreign minister and amoderate Islamist, squared off Thursday in the Arab world's firstever presidential debate, trading barbs over the role of religionand how to bring democratic reform to Egypt. Egyptians crowded around television sets in outdoor cafes for thefour-hour debate, aired on several independent TV channels —a startling new experiment for Egypt after nearly 30 years ofauthoritarian rule under President Hosni Mubarak, ousted last yearafter a wave of protests. For most of Mubarak's rule, he was re-elected in referendums inwhich he was the only candidate. The last presidential election, in2005, was the first to allow multiple candidates, but Mubarak wasconsidered a certain winner and campaigning was weak — and adirect debate was out of the question. The debate, which ran well past midnight, pitted Amr Moussa, whoserved as Mubarak's foreign minister for 10 years until becominghead of the Arab League in 2001, against Abdel-Moneim Abolfotoh, amoderate Islamist who broke with the Muslim Brotherhood last year.The two are among 13 candidates competing in the election, due tobegin on May 23. The debate repeatedly turned combative, as the two candidates, eachstanding behind a podium, were also given time to throw questionsat each other. Abolfotoh sought to taint Moussa as a key member and supporter ofMubarak's regime. Moussa, in turn, painted Abolfotoh as beholden tothe Muslim Brotherhood and hard-line Islamists. "My point of reference is the nation, your point of reference isthe Brotherhood," the 76-year-old Moussa, who has sought to appealto Egyptians worried about the rising power of Islamists, told hisrival. He pushed Abolfotoh to explain his stance on implementingIslamic Shariah law, suggesting that he had "made commitments" tohard-line Islamists. "I want to hear one word of opposition you said under Mubarak'sregime," Abolfotoh, 60, shot back, pointing out that Moussa said in2010 that he would back Mubarak for another term as president. At one Cairo coffeeshop near Tahrir Square, the epicenter of theprotests that brought down Mubarak, supporters of either candidatesbroke out in claps and cheers when either candidate hit on theother's perceived weakness — scenes of public support mostlyseen in Egypt only around football games. "This is the first time in the Egyptian and Arab history. We reallyare changing," said Ahmed Talaat, a 36-year old accountant. "Theuprising is really bearing fruit." The two touched on their economic platforms, the role of themilitary — which is due to hand over power to whoever winsthe presidency — women's role in politics and even on theirown health and what salary they would take if they won. But the debate gave Egyptians a taste of the tactics common topresidential face-offs in the United States and Europe, as eachtried to enshrine his image. Moussa presented himself as the voiceof experience who can bring security to a country rocked by turmoilsince Mubarak's fall. Abolfotoh depicted himself as the candidateof the revolution — kicking off the debate with praise forthe "martyrs" killed by security forces and troops in protestsagainst Mubarak and against the military that took his place inpower. In his campaign over past months, Abolfotoh has gathered an unusualcoalition, with support from some secular liberals, youth who havebroken away from the Muslim Brotherhood and some followers of thehard-line Islamist movement known as Salafis. Moussa stepped down from the Arab League post after Mubarak's fall.He has sought to play up his experience as a diplomat and hasplayed on the fears of many over Islamist domination. At least one more debate is expected, though it has not beenannounced which candidates will participate. Along with Moussa andAbolfotoh, the candidate of the Muslim Brotherhood Mohammad Mursiand Mubarak's last prime minister Ahmed Shafiq are also seen asstrong frontrunners. If no candidate emerges with a majority in the May 23-24 firstround of voting, a run-off between the top two vote-getters will beheld June 16-17. I am an expert from custommachinedcomponents.com, while we provides the quality product, such as Automotive transmission components Manufacturer , Plastic panel fasteners, Aluminum machined parts,and more.
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