Look at how the Egyptian government is scurrying to face public outrage over its stance on this conflict:
An Egyptian military flight arrived in Beirut Tuesday carrying relief aid and 70 officials and public figures _ including President Hosni Mubarak’s son Gamal _ who joined the trip to express their support for war-torn Lebanon. Egypt’s ministers of information, health, and industry and foreign trade; the leaders of several minor opposition parties, and top actors departed Cairo for a visit of several hours to deliver medical supplies to Lebanon and visit the wounded at hospitals. The Egyptian delegation was scheduled to meet Lebanese President Emile Lahoud, Prime Minister Fuad Saniora and Parliament speaker Nabih Berri.
Update: Here’s a lengthier Haaretz story.
al-Misri al-Yoom had an article a few days ago describing the holiday choices of Egyptian ministers – would it be Germany or Paris or London this year? Seems the Nizam decided some damage control would be in order…
and no one finds it disturbing that army resources are being used by a representative of the ruling party and not the government?
Well, they did invite opposition party leaders. I wonder if they told Gamal the same things their newspapers are saying — basically that Egypt’s leadership is betraying the Arab nation on the Lebanon conflict. My guess: probably not.
Supporting Lebanon http://www.ahram.org.eg/Index.asp?CurFN=opin8.htm&DID=8938“ rel=”nofollow”>is a duty!
That’s why Gamal went.