My hope is that countries like Morocco will have investment to create work, so people don't have to leave.

I do not use the language of my people. I can take liberties with certain themes which the Arabic language would not allow me to take.

Egypt has suffered more ordeals than the other countries to get where it is.

I liked Sartre's views but not his writing.

To lead a country, you must periodically hold a national consultation in which people representing different programmes can make a bid for power.

We do not have many intellectuals who can speak out for us internationally. We have no writers who are recognized, respected and loved outside the Arab world.

Intellectuals try to keep going. But their situation is very difficult. Those who have had the courage to voice their opposition have often paid a very high price.