President Abdel Fattah El Sisi’s response when asked whether he would shuffle cabinet: Silence. So say the nation’s state-owned dailies as they reported on the third installment of the president’s interview, which focuses this morning on domestic politics. (Yesterday’s zeroed-in on the economy, Monday’s focus was foreign policy).

El Sisi defended Prime Minister Sherif Ismail, whom he called “the most competent prime minister” and singled-out Electricity Minister Mohamed Shaker for praise, Al Ahram reports. The president implied that he would seek a second term in office if that is what the “people wish,” though he fell short of actually making an announcement.

Speaking on the political landscape, the president supported the move towards multi-party politics and urged people to trust in the democratic process. He added that local elections will be the key step towards enshrining the process in Egypt.

El Sisi beat the drum once more on the pressing need to moderate religious discourse, a key plank in the ongoing battle against extremist though generally and Daesh and the Muslim Brotherhood specifically.

El Sisi noted that while he was committed to improving Egypt’s human rights record, progress on that front has to come in a way that does not jeopardize national security. He added that we must focus on the right to security, employment, food and shelter. El Sisi also reiterated plans to develop the police force in a way that will instill the principles of human rights.

He also confirmed that 300 “young men and women” (read: liberal activists) will be issued pardons. While some of the president’s pardons have included prominent youth activists and journalists, other group pardons have not. As for freedom of speech, the president held back on praising the media, as he claims many media organizations run with rumors without checking their facts.