'Egyptian Jon Stewart' Quits After Sisi Win

A TV satirist dubbed "Egypt's Jon Stewart" has quit his show that mocked ex-army chief Abdel Fattah al Sisi because of "enormous" pressure.

Saudi-owned channel MBC took Bassem Youssef's show Al Bernameg off air in May to avoid "influencing" the presidential election that Mr Sisi won with more than 90% of the vote.

But the programme did not return as planned on May 30 and, ahead of official confirmation of the military strongman's victory, Youssef announced he was pulling the plug.

Bassem Youssef presenting his hit show Al Bernameg

He told a news conference: "The circumstances and pressure were more enormous than anyone. We preferred to end the programme rather than demean it."

Youssef with Amy Poehler when he was honoured by Time magazine

Youssef rose to fame with a homemade satire show posted on YouTube that became popular for its send-ups of the country's ruler Hosni Mubarak during Egypt's 2011 uprising.

He earned a slot on Egypt's CBC network but faced prosecution under the previous president Mohamed Morsi, who the army overthrew after millions of protesters demanded his resignation.

The satirical show earned comparisons with Jon Stewart's Daily Show, and the US host even popped up as a guest on Al Bernameg.

Stewart told the show's audience: "If your regime is not strong enough to handle a joke, then you don't have a regime."

Youssef was mobbed when he faced court in 2013 over criticism of Morsi

Youssef, a 40-year-old trained heart surgeon, was also named one of Time magazine's 100 most influential people in the world in 2013.

Nevertheless, CBC dropped the show last year after Youssef mocked the cult-like adulation of Mr Sisi's supporters, and increasing intolerance of criticism of the retired field marshal and the army.

Youssef chats with friend Jon Stewart and news anchor Brian Williams

Since Morsi was ousted in July 2013, the military-installed government has launched a crackdown on his Muslim Brotherhood in which at least 1,400 people died in street clashes.

More than 15,000 people have been arrested, including secular activists who protested against the new regime.

"This isn't a suitable atmosphere for a comedy show," Youssef said.

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