Egypt’s interim Prime Minister Essam Sharaf believes that fighting corruption in the country ‎will take time as it has been deep-rooted for so long. ‎

Sharaf, who will remain Egypt’s premier until the upcoming presidential elections, reiterated ‎the demands of the January 25 Revolution during the international forum “The Directions of ‎the Democratic Transformation, International Experiences and Learned Lessons” in‎ Cairo.‎

‎“Freedom, democracy and social justice; these are the three main demands of the January ‎‎25 Revolution that every Egyptian is looking forward to,” he told the forum organised by the UNDP.  

‎“Egypt is now witnessing the beginning of the democratic transformation and will bear the ‎ensuing difficulties and obstacles. ‎

‎“We know that all Egyptians, including us, are waiting for fast, consecutive and conclusive ‎changes. ‎

‎“But we also know that the changes we are looking for, that the revolution has called for, are ‎radical ones.‎

‎“It is not just the change of banners and faces, because we are not after shallow changes, ‎but we are seeking to clean up institutions riddled with established corruption.‎

‎“Unfortunately, corruption has become part of our culture and is commonplace [in Egypt],” Sharaf ‎added.‎