Egypt Coptic business mogul not to leave if Brotherhood comes to power

Prominent Egyptian Christian businessman Naguib Sawiris denied allegations that he will leave the country in case Muslim Brotherhood presidential candidate Mohammed Mursi comes to power.

“I will never flee Egypt and I will stay to fight the religious state and demand a civilian one,” he told Al Arabiya.

Sawiris refuted claims that several Coptic businessmen have already left Egypt for fear of persecution at the hands of the coming regime.

“This is a rumor. No Christian or Muslim businessmen have left Egypt. It is not logical that somebody with an established business would leave just because one candidate or another won the elections.”

Sawiris pointed out that if after the official results are out, Mursi emerges triumphant he will congratulate him respect the ballot box and the will of the people.

“What I do not respect is the Muslim Brotherhood’s preemptive claim to victory before the relevant bodies declared the official results.”

Sawiris noted that if the Muslim Brotherhood was certain their candidate was the winner, they would not declare the results unilaterally to stir public opinion in this way.

When asked about the possibility of liberal forces uniting in order to face attempts by the Muslim Brotherhood to establish a religious state, Sawiris replied that this is not likely in the near future.

“I doubt that liberal forces will be able to unite. In fact, I envy the Muslim Brotherhood for how organized and united they are.”


(Translated from Arabic by Sonia Farid)