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Subscribe to RSSNew York political leaders are voicing outrage at Egypt’s next president after he promised to fight to free a terrorist linked to the 1993 World Trade Center bombing and a later plot to blow up New York City landmarks.
President-elect Mohammed Morsi told a crowd in Tahrir Square he wants convicted terrorist Sheik Omar Abdel Rahman released from a United States prison. “I see signs for Omar Abdel Rahman and detainees pictures,” Morsi said. “It is my duty and I will make all efforts to have them free, including Omar Abdel Rahman.”
Rahman is serving a life sentence for his role in a plot to blow up the Holland and Lincoln Tunnels, the United Nations and other targets in the 1990s. He has also been linked to the first World Trade Center bombing that killed six and injured more than a thousand.
See the original story on NBCNewYork.com
Astrid Riecken / Getty Images
Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y.
New York politicians blasted Morsi’s comments Friday.
“President Morsi’s offensive statements are an insult to the memories of the victims of the World Trade Center bombing,” Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., said. “Sheik Rahman is a terrorist who planned to kill innocent Americans, rest assured he will stay right where he belongs -- in jail for the rest of his life.”
Egypt counts on billions of dollars in aid from the United States, and a State Department spokeswoman declined to comment on Morsi’s speech.
But Rep. Peter King, R-NY, who chairs the House Homeland Security Committee, called Morsi’s speech “evidence that he is an Islamist and a radical who cannot be trusted.”
"This is a disgraceful way for him to start his presidency," King added.
Egyptian leader vows to free 'Blind Sheik' jailed in US
Stephen Ferry / Getty Images
Workers on Feb. 26, 1993, rebuild the parking garage destroyed when a van containing explosives was detonated by terrorists in beneath the World Trade Center complex, resulting in the death of six and injuries of over 1,000 others.
Tri-state leaders said Morsi’s comments are raising serious questions as to what kind of leader he will be.
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., called Morsi’s statement “…not only outrageous, but it is cause for deep concern about Mohammed Morsi’s respect for the rule of law and democracy. Any attempt to free this convicted terrorist must be met with swift condemnation.”
Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., said the U.S. will never free the sheik.
“Omar Abdel-Rahman is a terrorist with American blood on his hands and he will serve the rest of his life in detention," he said.
A spokeswoman for the Egyptian consulate in New York declined to comment. But NBC News Correspondent Aymen Mohyeldin, who was in Cairo for the speech, said Morsi went off script to make the comments and was likely making the statements for domestic consumption – not to anger the United States.
Hai Do / AFP - Getty Images file
Sheik Omar Abdel Rahman, seen in 1993
“The Muslim Brotherhood, and Morsi now, are taking the position he be released on humanitarian extradition more so than overturning his conviction,” Moyeldin said. Muslim Brotherhood leaders are saying Morsi does not plan to repeat the comments in his address Saturday and has condemned acts of terror against the West in the past.
Rahman is in ailing health in a North Carolina prison. A Justice Department spokeswoman declined to comment, except to say the "Blind Sheik" remains behind bars.
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Big changes are in store for Egypt now that Mohammed Morsi of the Muslim Brotherhood, once banned in Egypt, has won Egypt's first democratic presidential election. NBC's Richard Engel reports.
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No more money to Egypt! Ever.
This is SERIOUS business ! In these days anything is possible.... Look at AG Eric Holder getting off free, isn't that ferious Nooooo! It's FAST and FERIOUS...
I say let Egypt chart their own course. However we do not need to finance it for them. We could use the money saved to help the unemployed, and help restore the peace in chicago that is being compared to a war zone. Those folks need our help.
As I have posted a few times here and as of yet NOT ONE Dem-a-Rat has Responded So I will ask again:
How could BO by pass the laws and send 1.6 BILLION of OUR doallrs to the MBH?
And PLEASE do not tell Georgie Boy did this or he did that... That has NOTHING WHAT SO EVER to do with BO's Actions....
PEOPLE WAKE UP!!!!! There will BE no US of A at the end of the next 4 years... December 21st is Looking better all the time... ( LOL )
How could this MAN give away 1.6 BILLION US Dollars when we are Battling Unemployment, running out of Money ourselves, Our Complete Infrastructure is Falling Down All Around US....
When will this MAN start paying more attention to the People in THIS country and not the rest of the Muslem world.
"Yes MASTER, Take my Job, Please, Take My Food, Oh and Have my House also... What else would you ask of me Master... Yes MASTER I am So beholding for you for My affordable Med Insurance... But, But, But, How am I to get my mail... your banks have taken my House?"
I am so sick and tired of this Bull@!$%#... Where is MY JOB Mr. President? Where is YOUR Transparent Gov't? Why are we still at war after you promise to US (The Amercian People) to get us out of there? Why did the supreme court Rule that your Insurance Program was a TAX after you and your's swore to the Amercian People it WAS NOT A TAX...
Would ANY BO worshiper care to even ventrue me a guess on any of these????
Obama will concede, and allow this guy freedom, and tell the public it was for better relations with the new government in Egypt.
Obama has and always will be a Moslem his support for Arab Countries vs. his ignoring the Jewish State is an example.
Obama views are left wing views, that show contempt for western values, and society. If Obama is re elected you will see America destroyed by his socialist views, his temperamental attitude shown with his stance against AZ, a state ,citizens of the US, Obama ,siding for illegal immigrants who are costing this country billions to host,ignoring laws, for a vote, Obama is a dangerous man America.
Reg-3071362:
Amen Brother.... We need to get off our asses and take back Amercia...
I'm sure he is shaking in his boots,this just gave some politicians a chance to get their mugs in front of a camera and state the obvious.
forget about politicly correct no need for a blindfold because the sheek is blind set him up in front of a firing squad or lethal injection confirm his death and hand the body over to egypt then stop sending financial aide to all muslim countries because they will except all that they are given and then more then we have to give and still kill us dont forget muslums have two faces even the ones that are less obvious we really dont need those countries
Are U.S. politicians really surprised.
This terrorist sheik, and all 9/11 attackers, are considered a good moslems. They are JIHADISTS
who fight the infidels (Us) i.e. they are heroes ! Got it ??????????
Maybe our politicians should visit Egypt (or any moslem country) and hear the curses that their sheiks throw up after their Friday prayer ...maybe, they'll get the idea and stop being surprised.
Do you miss Mubarak yet? Like FDR used to say about Anastasio Somoza "Somoza may be a son of a bitch, but he's our son of a bitch."
Morsi? You be the judge.