Former vice president of the Cassation Court and presidential hopeful Hesham El-Bastawisi believes the lack of a clear vision of how Egypt can transition to democracy is an obstacle in the transitional period.

“Security, economy and lack of harmony between the [ruling] military council and political forces are our main problems for the time being,” El-Bastawisi said during the opening session of the conference, “The Challenges of the Democratic Transition in Egypt: Visions and Comparisons,” is organised   by Arab Forum for Alternatives in association with the European Union Institute for Security Studies (EUISS).  

Alvaro de Vasconcelos, director of the EUISS, who went to Tahrir Square during the Second Friday of Rage, said: “Egypt is now witnessing historic moments after the January 25 Revolution ... Europe is excited over what’s going on in the country.”