Egyptian Army: No Punishment For Major Who Handed Over Gun During Protests

CAIRO - The Egyptian army announced Feb. 19 that it would not punish an officer who was shown on television joining anti-regime demonstrators after surrendering his weapon.
"Based on the belief of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) in the noble objectives of the January 25 revolution, the president of the council has decided to suspend the investigation of ... [Army Maj.] Ahmed Shuman," the council said on its Facebook page.

In Tahrir Square, the epicenter of protests against deposed president Hosni Mubarak's regime, Shuman passionately explained to Al-Jazeera television why he had joined the protesters.
"I had a gun, I gave it to one of the officers because it is a peaceful, popular revolution. Our mission is to protect the people, not the regime," he said.
He also addressed Defense Minister Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi, saying: "You are part of the regime; the president has been in power 30 years and you 20 years ... I beg you to go."
Tantawi is now the head of the SCAF, which took power following Mubarak's departure Feb. 11 in the face of unprecedented popular protests.
Several cases of soldiers joining the protesters were reported during the 18 days of demonstrations.
The Egyptian Army said it had created the Facebook page to better communicate with young people, who used the social networking site and micro-blogging site Twitter to organize the popular revolt.

Egypt OKs Iranian Ships' Passage Through Suez

CAIRO - Egypt on Feb. 18 gave permission for Iranian Navy ships to transit the Suez Canal into the Mediterranean, state media reported, after Israel described the move as a "provocation."
"Egypt agreed to allow two Iranian warships to transit the Suez Canal," the official MENA news agency reported.

Canal officials say it would be the first time Iranian warships have made the passage since the 1979 Islamic revolution.
MENA reported that the request for the ship to pass said they were not carrying weapons or nuclear and chemical materials.
It is not known when the ships are expected to arrive at Port Said, the northern terminus of the canal on the Mediterranean. From there they are expected to sail to Syria.
Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak has labeled the Iranian action as "hostile" and said Israel was closely monitoring the situation.
Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said an Iranian naval presence in the area was a "provocation that proves the self-confidence and cheek of the Iranians is growing from day to day."
Asked to comment on the latest development, Foreign Ministry spokesman Yigal Palmor recalled Lieberman's comments on Feb. 16.
"We have nothing to add to the minister's statement," Palmor said Feb. 18. "It's still valid."
Earlier, an Egyptian foreign ministry official said the Iranian request was passed on to the defense ministry, which has to approve the passage of any warship through the canal.
His comments came a day after a canal official and a shipping agent said the request had been cancelled, at the prompting of the Egyptian government. An Iranian diplomat said administrative reasons where behind the delay.
Iran's official Fars news agency, quoting senior naval commanders, has said the ships are the 33,000-ton refueling and support vessel Kharg and the 1,500-ton light patrol frigate Alvand, both British-built.
Kharg has a crew of 250 and can carry up to three helicopters. Alvand is armed with torpedoes and anti-ship missiles.

Iran warships Suez Canal passage 'back on'

The voyage may be part of a training mission for navy cadets

Iran has asked Egypt for permission to send two warships through the Suez Canal, officials have confirmed, after a day of conflicting reports.

Egypt's defence ministry said it was considering the request, hours after reports quoted canal officials as denying any request had been made.
The move has been condemned by Israel's foreign minister as a provocation.

ran has asked Egypt for permission to send two warships through the Suez Canal, officials have confirmed, after a day of conflicting reports.

Egypt's defence ministry said it was considering the request, hours after reports quoted canal officials as denying any request had been made.
The move has been condemned by Israel's foreign minister as a provocation.
It is believed to be the first time since the 1979 revolution that Iran has requested passage through the canal.
There have been conflicting reports throughout the day as to whether the request had been turned down, withdrawn, or had even been made.
But a naval official confirmed to Iran's state-run Press TV that talks were continuing with Cairo.
And Egyptian defence ministry spokesman Hossam Zaki told the Associated Press that the request was being considered.
Canal officials deal with regular shipping requests, but naval requests are decided by the defence ministry.
Analysts say the ministry rarely turns down a request.
Iran's semi-official Fars news agency reported in January that Iranian navy cadets were going on a year-long training mission through Suez and into the Mediterranean, according to Reuters.
But no official reason has been given for the voyage.
It is thought that the ships are heading to Syria, the main ally of Tehran in the region - and a major foe of Israel.
Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman warned that his country could not "for ever ignore these provocations".
The ships involved are the frigate Alvand and a supply vessel, the Kharg.
Analysts say the plan presents a headache for the new military leadership in Egypt.
Cairo signed a peace treaty with Israel in 1979, and has since had frosty ties with Tehran.

Israeli Military Backs Egyptian Troops

TEL AVIV - Following situational assessments of deteriorating conditions on the streets of Cairo, Israeli military leaders are extending messages of support to their Egyptian counterparts and pledges to preserve the 31-year peace between the two countries.

Egyptian anti-government demonstrators battle pro-government opponents in Cairo's Tahrir square on Feb. 3. (Mohammed Abed / Agence France-Presse)

"Based on our assessment of events on the ground, it's our understanding that the Egyptian Army is operating responsibly and in a manner that contributes to stability and preserves future peace," Brig. Gen. Avi Benayahu, Israeli military spokesman, told Defense News.

In a Feb. 3 interview, Benayahu said assessments conducted in Tel Aviv in recent hours indicate that the Egyptian Army has been handling violence among demonstrators with restraint as it attempts to restore calm among peaceful demonstrators.
"The Egyptian Army is working to preserve stability and is operating as much as possible in a manner of restraint," Benayahu said.
He added, "Our peace with Egypt is a strategic asset of supreme importance to the government of Israel, the Israel Defense Forces, and I'm sure also to the people of Egypt. … Egypt is not an enemy of Israel, but rather a large and influential country with whom we hope our peaceful relations will ensure forever."