Egypt’s former Vice President Mohamed ElBaradei gave a rare TV interview to the Qatari Al-Araby network on Jan. 7, sparking controversy at home and drawing a furious backlash from government-loyalist media in the country.

The much-publicized interview (the first in a five-part series) was condemned by some Egyptian media even before its broadcast, signaling skepticism about ElBaradei’s intentions. In an article lambasting the former politician, the pro-government Al-Mogaz news site speculated that ElBaradei would use the airtime “to attack Egypt.” Al-Mogaz raised questions about the timing of the interview, which coincided with protests against Egypt’s handover of two Red Sea islands to Saudi Arabia and came just weeks ahead of the anniversary of the 2011 mass uprising that forced former President Hosni Mubarak to step down.

“The former head of the Atomic Energy Agency is seeking to sow discord and stir chaos in the country,” warned the news site.

ElBaradei, meanwhile, sought to allay such concerns, explaining at the onset of the interview that he had chosen to speak out about political and economic issues because his advice was needed at this time of crisis when the Arab world was heading toward self-destruction.