Egyptian events not similar to Iranian Revolution

The Jerusalem Post, Defense minister says he doesn't believe peace with Egypt is at risk, but warns rush to elections could benefit Muslim Brotherhood.

Defense Minister Ehud Barak rejected comparisons between the overthrow of former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak and the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran, in an interview with ABC's Christiane Amanpour to be aired on Sunday.

"I don't believe that something similar to the Iranian events of several years ago is happening now. I think that the Egyptians have their own way. I think that their direction is something which emerges very genuinely and in a spontaneous manner. It was not something that was organized by extremist groups of Muslim radical origins," Barak stated.

Barak said that, although he doesn't believe that the peace between Israel and Egypt is at risk, a rush to elections could bring the Muslim Brotherhood to power in the country.

"The real winner of any short term election...lets say within 90 days, will be the Muslim Brotherhood because they're ready to jump. Usually in revolutions...there is an eruption of idealist sentiment at the first moment. Later on, the only group that is coherent and focused, that is ready to kill and be killed if necessary, takes power. That should be avoided in Egypt because that could be a catastrophe for the whole region," said Barak.

Barak remained doubtful of the Muslim Brotherhood's pronouncement that they do not intend to run for the presidency of Egypt.

"I tend not to believe radical Muslim movements. But they did not initiate [the protest], they were not behind it, but they are always ready to take advantage of it," Barak stated.