Clashes in Egypt Intensify

[Conley]

CAIRO — Egypt’s military rulers on Monday faced the most sustained and bloodiest challenge to their hold on power since the fall of Hosni Mubarak as demonstrators clashed for a third successive day with security forces around Tahrir Square after new clashes broke out across the country.

Egyptian troops had been heralded as saviors when their generals ushered out President Mubarak on Feb. 11, but on Sunday they led a new push to clear the square and the Health Ministry said Monday that at least 23 people were killed. Since Saturday, more than 1,500 people had been wounded, the ministry said.

Battles raged throughout the night, with gunfire echoing through streets choked with tear gas and illuminated by scattered fires. Three bodies wrapped in blankets were seen being carried away and witnesses said the bodies were those of protesters hit by live ammunition.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/22/world/middleeast/facing-calls-to-give-up-power-egypts-military-battles-crowds.html

How long until the Arab League tries to get into this as they have the Syrian conflict? What a mess this is becoming, even more than it already was.

[MMC]

Oh No.....the Egyptians/Sunni are they not? Little slap on the wrist and the promise of the US greenbacks will continue!

[MMC]

http://news.yahoo.com/clashes-break-5th-day-egypt-121551124.html
AP – 59 mins ago.....

CAIRO (AP) — Egyptian police clashed with anti-government protesters for a fifth day in central Cairo Wednesday as a rights group raised the overall death toll from the ongoing unrest to at least 38. The United Nations strongly condemned what it called the use of excessive force by security forces.

Street battles have centered around the heavily fortified Interior Ministry, near the iconic square, with police and army troops using tear gas and rubber bullets to keep the protesters from storming the ministry, a sprawling complex that has for long been associated with the hated police and Mubarak's former regime.

In his address, Tantawi rejected all criticism of the military's handling of the transitional period and sought to cast himself and the generals on the military council he heads as the nation's foremost patriots. Significantly, he did not mention the protesters gathered in Tahrir Square or elsewhere in the country.

The Muslim Brotherhood, Egypt's strongest and best organized group, is not taking part in the ongoing protests in a move that is widely interpreted to be a reflection of its desire not to do anything that could derail a parliamentary election it is sure to dominate.

Hundreds of Brotherhood supporters, however, have defied the leadership and joined the crowds on the square.....snip~

It continues to get worse.....The Egyptian Field Marshall ::) ::) ::) :D has spoken. Wonder if those Bush tax cuts will affect half the money we were offering to give the Egyptians with Kerry and the Dems Nation Building Plan?

[MMC]

http://news.yahoo.com/egypt-activists-call-mass-protests-friday-031411350.html

Tens of thousands of demonstrators rallied in Cairo's Tahrir Square on Friday to demand the end of military rule following a week of deadly clashes as Washington called for a swift handover of power.....snip~


Cairo has called for the Egyptian Military to step down immediately. Egypt;s Military says no. but now the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar the Sunni's Highest Islam Authority. Has thrown his weight behind the protestors. The Shiek Called on the Egyptian Military to step down. Leading over 10k followers into the Square.

Obama now calls on the Egyptian Military to transfer over power to the Egyptian People. Again the Egyptian Military says no and makes their own moves appointing a Prime Minister. In the meantime Former IMF Watchdog El Baradei led his entourage into the Square as well.

[MMC]

According to the Egyptian Military they have given more powers to this Prime Minister than when Mubarak was in power. But the Sunni and the Imam won't back down now.

[Conley]

Yes, it's getting much worse and it's looking like things will only intensify unfortunately.

[Peter1469]

Two more female reporters have been sexually assaulted. One by the crowd and the other by the police.

[Conley]

Good to see you made it over here Peter!

[Mister D]

Two more female reporters have been sexually assaulted. One by the crowd and the other by the police.

By the police? Good grief...

I thought the major networks would have stopped sending females reporters after the first time it happened. She worked for CNN? I don't recall.

Also, it gives you some insight into how "democratic" and in love with western concepts they are.

[MMC]

The US on Egypt as of 38 mins ago.....
Significantly adding to their predicament, the Obama administration brought its position on the crisis in Egypt closer to the protesters' demands, urging the military to fully empower the next interim civilian government.
"We believe that Egypt's transition to democracy must continue, with elections proceeding expeditiously, and all necessary measures taken to ensure security and prevent intimidation," the White House said in a statement.
"Most importantly, we believe that the full transfer of power to a civilian government must take place in a just and inclusive manner that responds to the legitimate aspirations of the Egyptian people, as soon as possible," it said.
The adjustment in the Obama administration's approach is significant because the Egyptian military, the nation's most powerful institution, has in the past 30 years forged close relations with successive U.S. administrations, receiving $1.3 billion annually in aid. It followed the public U.S. endorsement of the military's original timetable for the transfer of power by late 2012 or early 2013.

The next parliament is expected to be dominated by Islamists, whose political groups have decided to boycott the ongoing protests to keep from doing anything that could derail the election. However, the outcome of the vote is likely to be seen as flawed given the growing unrest and the suspension by many candidates of their campaigns in solidarity with the protesters.

The Social Democrats, a political party born out of the January-February uprising, said Friday that it has suspended its election campaign, arguing that the vote would not be fair given the tension caused by the unrest, which it blamed on the military.

Tantawi has offered another referendum on whether his military council should step down immediately.
Such a vote, activists say, would be divisive and likely open the door for a deal between the military and political groups, particularly the Muslim Brotherhood. Egypt's largest and best organized group, the Brotherhood is notorious for its opportunism and thirst for power. It was empowered after the fall of Mubarak, regaining legitimacy after spending nearly 60 years as an outlawed group.....snip~

http://news.yahoo.com/egypts-military-under-pressure-protests-us-203856960.html

[MMC]

Thats over 40 Billion dollars for the last 30 yrs. Anyone think we should have been giving 1.3 billion annually in Aid to Egypt every year for 30 yrs? Seems the number didn't Change no matter who our President was. Nor who was controlling Congress. BTW thats just 1 Foreign Country we giving to.

Anyone against stopping all aid to Egypt other than for medical purposes? What would affect the US if we did this this?

[Conley]

By the police? Good grief...

I thought the major networks would have stopped sending females reporters after the first time it happened. She worked for CNN? I don't recall.

Also, it gives you some insight into how "democratic" and in love with western concepts they are.

I remember that. What a fiasco. I'm all for equality in the work place but there are some jobs that are just not suited to women. It's Western arrogance (ignorance?) to think that a woman would be safe in a mob like that.

[Conley]

Thats over 40 Billion dollars for the last 30 yrs. Anyone think we should have been giving 1.3 billion annually in Aid to Egypt every year for 30 yrs? Seems the number didn't Change no matter who our President was. Nor who was controlling Congress. BTW thats just 1 Foreign Country we giving to.

Anyone against stopping all aid to Egypt other than for medical purposes? What would affect the US if we did this this?

Well, Egypt in the past was very influential so I can somewhat understand trying to get on her good side, but at this point with the problems we have here and their lack of influence or even a legitimate government I would be just fine with suspending aid.

[Mister D]

I remember that. What a fiasco. I'm all for equality in the work place but there are some jobs that are just not suited to women. It's Western arrogance (ignorance?) to think that a woman would be safe in a mob like that.

Especially after it's already happened. How could a network allow a female reporter to go and what woman would be stupid enough to take such a risk? Well, I guess we know the answer to the second question...

[Conley]

Most definitely. Plus if I recall the original reporter made little effort to dress appropriately given the circumstances. Hopefully at least some people learn from what happened to her.

[Mister D]

Most definitely. Plus if I recall the original reporter made little effort to dress appropriately given the circumstances. Hopefully at least some people learn from what happened to her.

Yeah, that could have been what provoked the attacks in the first place. I'm not saying it was right of course but use your head. Know where you are.

[MMC]

Well now Obama is telling the Egyptian Military to step down. Give into the will of the Egyptian people. So shouldn't he give in to the Will of the American People?

[Mister D]

Well now Obama is telling the Egyptian Military to step down. Give into the will of the Egyptian people. So shouldn't he give in to the Will of the American People?

More of this democracy nonsense. In some ways this guy is scarier than a neocon.

[MMC]

All I know is the Muslim Brotherhood is here and all this is happening. They are in libya and led that transition. They are in Syria and leading that revolt. Yet none of our Pols seem to want to acknowlege this fact.

[Conley]

Well now Obama is telling the Egyptian Military to step down. Give into the will of the Egyptian people. So shouldn't he give in to the Will of the American People?

:rofl: Yes! Good call MMC.