Army communiqués

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An Egyptian army officer greets anti-regime protesters as he walks through Tahrir Square in Cairo, 12 February

Communiqué no. 1:

In recognition of the responsibility of the Armed Forces; out of commitment to protecting the nation and safeguarding its interests and security; out of eagerness to preserve the safety of the homeland and the citizens and the achievements of the great people of Egypt and their property; and in affirmation and support of the legitimate demands of the people; the Higher Council of the Armed Forces met today, Thursday 10 February 2011, to examine the ongoing developments. The Council decided to remain in open-ended session to see what measures and procedures can be taken to protect the homeland and the achievements and ambitions of the great people of Egypt.

Communiqué no. 2:

In view of the fast-breaking developments and the development involving the assignment of powers to the vice president; and in recognition of our responsibility for the security and safety of the homeland; the Council decided to guarantee the implementation of the following measures:

First: Ending the state of emergency as soon as the current circumstances end; taking action on electoral complaints and any measures related to them; introducing any legislative amendments needed to hold free and fair presidential elections in the light of the constitutional amendments that would be made.

Second: The Egyptian Armed Forces are committed to safeguarding the legitimate demands of the people and overseeing their realisation through a follow-up of the implementation of these measures within a specific timetable and with all precision and firmness until the completion of the peaceful transfer of power and the achievement of a free and democratic society that meets the wishes of the people.

Third: The Egyptian Armed Forces confirm that there will be no security action taken against the honourable people who rejected corruption and called for reform; warn against interference with the security of the homeland and the citizens; and stress the need to resume regular work in state institutions and to restore normal public life in matters related to the interests and property of the citizens.

May God preserve the country.

Communiqué no. 3:

Citizens, at this decisive historic juncture in Egypt's history and with President Mohamed Hosni Mubarak having decided to step down as president of the republic and assign the Higher Council of the Armed Forces the task of administering the country, we are all aware of the magnitude of this development and its gravity in view of the demands by our entire great people to introduce radical changes. The Higher Council of the Armed Forces is looking forward, with the help of God, to achieve the aspirations of our great people. The Higher Council of the Armed forces will issue further communiqués detailing the measures and steps that will be followed.

The Council, meanwhile, is not a substitute for the legitimacy the people aspire for. The Higher Council of the Armed Forces salutes president Mohamed Hosni Mubarak and appreciates his contribution to the progress of national work in times of war and peace as well as his patriotic stand in favour of the higher interests of the homeland.

In addition, the Higher Council of the Armed Forces pays full homage to the souls of the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the freedom and security of their country and the members of our great nation. God is our guide and helper. Peace be upon you and the mercy and blessings of God.

Communiqué no. 4:

In view of the conditions in the country and the difficult times that brought Egypt and its people to a watershed and that make it necessary for all of us to defend the stability of the homeland and the hard-won achievements of its people; considering that the current phase calls for rethinking the priorities of the people in a way that achieves the legitimate demands of the people in the current conditions; in recognition of the fact that the sovereignty of the law is not only a requisite for the freedom of the individual, but also the mainstay for the legitimacy of the authority; out of resolve, conviction, and faith in all our national, patriotic and international responsibilities; in recognition of the right of God and His message and the right of God and the homeland; and with the help of God, the Higher Council of the Armed Forces declares:

First: The Higher Council of the Armed Forces is committed to everything it mentioned in previous communiqués.

Second: The Higher Council of the Armed Forces has faith in the ability of Egypt, its institutions, and its people to overcome the current delicate conditions. Therefore, all institutions of the government and the private sectors are required to assume their lofty and patriotic mission in keeping the economy running and the people must take up their responsibility in this regard.

Third: The current government and the governors must continue to function in care-taking capacity until a new government is formed.

Fourth: We aspire for a peaceful transfer of authority in the framework of a free, democratic system, one allowing the emergence of an elected civilian authority to rule the country and build a free democratic state.

Fifth: The Arab Republic of Egypt is to uphold all its regional and international commitments, treaties, and agreements.

Sixth: The Higher Council of the Armed Forces beseeches our great people to cooperate with their brothers and sons of the civilian police, as amity and cooperation must prevail among all; and it calls on the men of the civilian police to abide by the slogan of "The Police is in the Service of the People."

May God keep us on the right path.

Communiqué no. 5:

In the name of God the Merciful, the Compassionate, here is communiqué no. 6 from the Higher Council of the Armed Forces:

In light of the unexpected circumstances in the country and the Armed Forces' assumption of the task of protecting the honourable sons of the people who rose to demand their legitimate rights, and with the help and guidance of God, the climate has become suitable for facilitating the course of democracy through the release of a constitutional declaration involving constitutional and legislative amendments designed to meet the legitimate demands of the people and bring about true democratic climate, and yet it has been noticed that some sectors in the country were organising protests despite the return of normal life at a time when it is assumed that all sections and sectors of society would rally to reinforce this positive development and support the efforts of the Higher Council of the Armed Forced in achieving the various aspirations of the people.