Tens of thousands of pro-democracy demonstrators gathered in Tahrir Square for a rally they call "Day of Departure" aimed at President Mubarak. Pro-government activists also demonstrated today. So far today there has been little violence.
Soldiers have been spotted keeping pro-Mubarak supporters away from the anti-government rally in Tahrir Square.
President Mubarak says that he would gladly step down but that he cannot, or else the banned Muslim Brotherhood would take advantage of "the power vacuum" left in the wake of his departure. He denied being behind the violence earlier this week and announced that his son Gamal Mubarak intended run for president in the elections later this year.
Mohamed ElBaradai, the most visible leader of the opposition responded, saying "We as a people are fed up as well, it is not only with him... The idea that there would be chaos is symptomatic of a dictatorship. He thinks if he leaves power the whole country will fall apart."
Many high Islamic authority figures have endorsed the protests. According to the BBC 'Mohammed Rifaa Tahtawi, the spokesman of al-Azhar - the Cairo-based institution which is seen as the highest authority in Sunni Islam - has resigned. He told reporters: "I am participating in the protests and I have issued statements that support the revolutionists as far as they go."'
But this is not a religious movement. This is a movement by the people, for the people. There is no religious figure coordinating the uprising. Even the Muslim Brotherhood, who is likely to emerge in the aftermath as a powerful, organized political force, is not radical. Statements from the Muslim Brotherhood assert that they want only a democratic state. Said senior member Issam al-Ayran, "We want a civil state, based on Islamic principles. A democratic state, with a parliamentary system, with freedom to form parties, press freedom, and an independent and fair judiciary."
The soldiers have a tight cordon on the routes leading to Tahrir Square, with people be searched for weapons. There are numerous women and children in the crowd, who are also searched for arms. Defense Minister General Mohammed Hussein Tantawi along with other military leaders visited the protest site at Tahrir Square and spoke to the soldiers stationed there and too many of the demonstrators. It is looking more and more likely that the military is siding with the people. This may be due to the conscript nature of the armed forces: all Egyptian men must serve. Egypt has the world's tenth largest military, heavily funded by U.S foreign aid. This foreign aid allows Egypt to keep its armed forces very modernized.
Another visitor to Tahrir Square was Amr Moussa, secretary-general of the Arab League. Some in the audience shouted that they wanted him as president. Commenting on French Radio as to whether or not he would have any interest in being part of a transitional government, he responded "Why say no?" He, Mr. ElBaradai, and the new Vice-President Omar Suleiman appear to be the top choices to head a theoretical transitional government. It should be noted that the Egyptian government has no plans of implementing any sort of transitional government, sticking true to President Mubarak's intention to remain in power until the end of his term in September.
Suleiman has, since his appointment to vice-president, urged peace from the crowds and asked them to accept the president's pledge. There are reports, however, that he has been in contact with Washington over how a "peaceful, orderly and meaningful transition, with credible, inclusive negotiations" can be made in Egypt.
No comments:
Post a Comment