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I don't think the Egyptian people want to see what is a very clear effort to obtain political and economic rights turn into any kind of new form of oppression or suppression or violence or letting loose criminal elements.

Egypt needs to catch up with the rest of the world. We need to be free, democratic, and - society where people have the right to live in freedom and dignity.

I couldn't have imagined that I would live long enough to see Egypt emancipated from decades of repression.

The last thing I would do to this country is to even put my personal interests about the country's interest. I have never done that in my life, and I will never do it because I, you know, I was brought up as a very patriotic Egyptian, and this is not just going to happen.

We are not at war with Egypt. We are in an armed conflict.

I can go back to Egypt anytime I want. Can I leave Egypt anytime I want? I think I can. I think I can.

If you want to move people, you look for a point of sensitivity, and in Egypt nothing moves people as much as religion.

But my friends, these people in Egypt have stood by us in a tough, tough neighborhood.

Our relationship with Egypt is very, very important. And I would want them to remain an ally. I don't want to see that official status change.