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In response to a question by MP Muhammad Anwar Al-Sadat about pensions allocated to retired army personnel serving in senior civilian positions, Egypt's parliamentary speaker Ali Abdel Aal retorted that all MPs should stand up and bow their heads in respect when talking about the armed forces. The exchange, which took place during a parliamentary session, was broadcast on the Egyptian Sout Al-Sha'b TV channel on July 25, 2016.
Muhammad Anwar Al-Sadat: "I would like to ask the Defense Ministry representative an important question: What is the ruling with regard to officers - whether high- or low-ranking - who are appointed to civilian positions, such as ministers, governors, mayors, heads of companies, and so on? What salary do they receive, on top of their army pension? How does it work?"
Ali Abdel Aal: "They have nothing to do with one another. This is a pension, and the constitutional court has ruled that these are private assets. End of discussion. You must not say such things about anyone who dedicated his life to service in the armed forces.
*Applause*
[...]
"Whenever any MP talks about the armed forces, he must stand out of respect, whether he is talking about retired army personnel or those in active service.
*Applause*
"Honorable MP, I object to such statements, and I will not have them in this hall, in which all MPs should bow their heads in respect for the armed forces.
*Applause*
"This message has been conveyed not just to the honorable MP, but to anybody who would try to drive a wedge between the people and the army. The people and the army always have been one and the same in Egypt, and always will be, in the heart of every Egyptian."
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