Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Mugabe vows to step down if defeated http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-23507214

Ousted Egypt leader 'in good health' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-23500117

Sunday, July 28, 2013

Full view for the Egyptian revolution

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mg3mII4vYI0&feature=youtube_gdata_player

مناقشة الشرعية في مقال د. شوقي السيد وعلى طريقة المرافعة وليس التحليل الاكاديمي

عن أى «شرعية» يتحدثون

الكاتب: شوقي السيد

■ فى كلمات وصيغ هستيرية تضمنتها خطب رئاسية - سابقة - وصرخ بها رجال الإرشاد والجماعة وتابعوهم، ملأوا بها الدنيا صراخا وضجيجاً تحدياً لإرادة الشعب كله، محتجين بشرعية الرئيس المخلوع «إشارة إلى أوراق الصندوق»، ومن قبل احتج بها الرئيس المخلوع بنفسه ولنفسه، والتحدى بالشرعية المفترى عليها، وبأنها تخوله أحقية حكم البلاد لأربع سنوات بالتمام والكمال يظل خلالها «الرئيس» محصناً غير قابل للعزل أو الخلع!! واستمرت هذه الكلمات والصيغ الضالة تزداد ضجيجاً.. «الشرعية.. الشرعية.. احترام الشرعية» حتى أضلت بعض الناس الطيبين فى الداخل، واستعان بها الخوارج لأغراض خبيثة فى نفس يعقوب!!

■ فأى شرعية يقصد هؤلاء.. «الشرعية.. الشرعية».. حقاً، إنها شريعة الغاب.. لأن الانتخابات الرئاسية.. وأوراق الصندوق قد جمعت جرائم التزوير والرشوة والترويع وجرائم الانتخاب بجميع أشكالها وصورها، ومازالت أمام قاضى التحقيق.. وأمام لجنة الانتخابات الرئاسية.. وفى أدراج الأجهزة الرقابية، والتى كشفت بعدها عن التخابر والصفقات على حساب الوطن والمواطنين، لأن.. الشرعية المدعى بها كذباً وزوراً وبهتاناً قد وُلدت سفاحاً، ثم تلطخت بالدماء، وعصفت بالشرعية ذاتها، وبدولة سيادة القانون وإهدار المبادئ والقيم وفتتت الشعب المصرى.. وتغولت على السلطة القضائية بالعزل والتعيين والاختراق ومحاصرة العدالة.. حتى بلغت فرض دستور البلاد بالقوة فرضاً وغصباً عن إرادة الأمة.. أى شرعية يتحدث عنها هؤلاء!!

■ أى شرعية تجمع الانتقام.. والتشفى والاتهام والانتهازية.. واستغلال النفوذ والكذب والتضليل.. التى كشف عنها الخطاب الرئاسى الأخير للمعزول.. وما قبله.. عن ديكتاتورية حكم الجماعة التى أقصت الجميع وانتقمت من التاريخ.. وعصفت بإرادة الشعب انتقاماً.. وتشفياً، وملاحقة المنافسين السياسيين.. والغرباء عن الجماعة..والرافضين.. والمعارضين.

■ تعالوا بنا أيها السادة نبحث عن الشرعية الحقيقية التى انقض عليها هؤلاء وأهدروا أركانها ثم راحوا يحتجون بها ويتباكون عليها:

■ فعن شرعية الصندوق وإرادة الناخبين كتبت لنا عنها تقارير جهات رقابية فى 21/6/2012 وقبل إعلان نتيجة الانتخابات الرئاسية.. امتلأت بالخطايا والآثام، وجمعت جرائم الرشوة والتزوير داخل المطابع وتسويد البطاقات مقدماً لصالح المعزول، ثم الترويع واستخدام السلاح، وامتلأت الدنيا ضجيجاً وتهديداً حتى بلغت أصداؤها لجنة الانتخابات الرئاسية والمجلس العسكرى، فأعلنت النتيجة بالفوز زوراً وبهتاناً، خوفاً على مصالح البلاد وخضوعاً للتهديد والترويع، ومازال الطعن فى شرعيتها أمام قاضى التحقيق.. وأمام لجنة الانتخابات الرئاسية التى أعلنت استشعارها الحرج، لأن الرئيس «المعزول» قد تدخل فى شؤون العدالة أثناء نظر الطعن وقبل الفصل فيه.. فعن أى شرعية يتحدثون!!

■ ورأينا استجواب ميت رومنى كبير النواب الجمهوريين لـ«أوباما» أمام الكونجرس الأمريكى بالأمس القريب عن تلك الأموال المحرمة، بغية وصول «الإخوان» إلى الحكم تحقيقاً لمصالح أمريكا وأمن إسرائيل على حساب مصالح الوطن والشعب المصرى، فتدفقت الأموال الحرام على تزييف إرادة الناخبين بجرائم القانون وسلاح التزوير.. فعن أى شرعية يتحدثون!!

■ بل بعد الوصول إلى السلطة تزويراً وبهتاناً، كان الانحراف بها والإقصاء والانتقام بقصد التمكين والسيطرة والإفساد فى مواجهة القضاء بالامتهان والتهديد والاختراق.. ومحاصرة حرية الإعلام بالانتقام والتهديد.. والمعارضين بالإبعاد والوعيد، كل ذلك ضرب الحريات فى مقتل.. وأضر بمصالح البلاد والعباد، فضجت الدنيا وضاقت بها حتى اشتدت حلقاتها، فعن أى شرعية يتحدثون!!

■ بعد أن فرجت وظن الناس أنها لا تفرج، وأسقط الشعب النظام.. وعزل الرئيس وخلعه بثورة شعبية خالصة.. وإرادة حرة، ساندها وحماها جيش مصر العظيم، وانتصر الشعب لإرادته، لتصحيح مسار ثورته، واسترداد حريته، وإعادة دولة سيادة القانون ليتولى رئيس المحكمة الدستورية العليا رئيساً مؤقتاً للبلاد.. وإعلاء لدولة سيادة القانون.. راح هؤلاء يضربون البلاد فى كل مكان، ويرهبون أبناء الشعب فى كل حين.. يهددون.. ويقتلون.. ويقطعون الطرق إضراراً بمصالح الناس.. فبأى إفك يتكلمون.. وعن أى شرعية يتحدثون!!

■ والمدهش أن هؤلاء لا يتعظون.. ولا يخجلون.. فهم كذلك منذ النشأة الأولى.. حيث كتب لنا وكيل الداخلية عبدالرحمن عمار فى 8 ديسمبر 1948 عن تلك النشأة التى امتلأت بالجرائم فبدأت بالتستر وراء الدين.. والأعمال الخيرية.. والرياضية.. ثم ما لبثت أن انغمست الجماعة فى السياسة فكانت الجنايات العسكرية.. والجرائم الجنائية، وقلب نظام الحكم بالقوة والإرهاب، بتشكيل الميليشيات منذ عام 1942، التى انتهت بحل الجماعة على يد النقراشى بالأمر رقم 63 فى 8 ديسمبر 1948 فى أول مواجهة مع الإخوان قبل الثورة.. وبعدها فى 14 يناير عام 54.. وفى كل العهود.. تماماً كما حدث فى جامعة الأزهر منذ سنوات وكما يحدث الآن فى مصر بعد مر الزمان.. بالحشد والاعتصامات.. والتفجيرات وتكوين العصابات الإجرامية والاغتيالات والابتزاز.. بعد أن وصلوا السلطة بالتزوير والتهديد على أنقاض الشرعية.. وبعدها يتباكون على الشرعية.. ويتحدثون عن الصندوق فعن أى شرعية يتحدثون.. وبأى إفك يتكلمون!! أفيقوا أيها الناس.. لا رحمكم الله!!

Dr-shawky-lawfirm@hotmail.com

Source URL (retrieved on 28/07/2013 - 05:21): http://www.almasryalyoum.com/node/1987226

راي د محمد عمارة

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=reEO3fBCQ6k&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Saturday, July 27, 2013

Mass jailbreak from Libyan

Mass jailbreak from Libyan prison
July 27, 2013 8:10 PM

About 1,200 inmates have escaped from a jail in the restive Libyan city of Benghazi.

A security official told the AP news agency that most of the escapees were facing serious charges.

Another report said a riot had taken place inside the al-Kwafiya prison.

The jailbreak comes a day after the assassination of a prominent political activist triggered protests in the city, although it is not clear whether the two are connected.

Benghazi is one of the most unstable parts of post-revolution Libya. Last year the US ambassador and three other Americans were killed there.

'Reinforcements'

Earlier protesters attacked offices linked to the Muslim Brotherhood following the assassination of the prominent political activist Abdelsalam al-Mismari.

AFP news agency quoted a security official saying that some of the escapees were linked to the regime of Col Muammar Gaddafi. The former dictator was toppled in an uprising in August 2011.

"There was a riot inside al-Kwafiya prison, as well as an attack from outside," the official said.

"Special forces called in as reinforcements were given orders not to fire at the prisoners."

AFP also quoted Libyan Prime Minister Ali Zeidan saying local residents had set the inmates free because "they don't want the prison near their homes".

Water in the world

Episode 14: Water, Water, Everywhere? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_T_550MH8w Via PAUL the App, https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.inmobly.paul&feature=more_from_developer

Kuwaitis head to polls amid

Kuwaitis head to polls amid boycott http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-23469630

'The Brotherhood Knows the End Is Comingm -Egyptian Politician

07/25/2013 07:22 PM

Egyptian Politician

'The Brotherhood Knows the End Is Coming'

Egypt has been shaken by daily clashes since the recent coup. In an interview, leftist Egyptian politician Mamduoh Habashi explains why the military intervention was good for the country and his belief that the Muslim Brotherhood is on its way out.

SPIEGEL ONLINE: Mr. Habashi, German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle called the toppling of Mohammed Morsi a "serious setback for democracy." How would you describe it?

Mamduoh Habashi: Mr. Westerwelle has a different understanding of democracy than I do. For me, democracy is the will of the people, and this blatantly manifested itself in a tremendous mass movement, the largest Egypt has ever seen. For Westerwelle, on the other hand, democracy appears to be something purely formal. For him, this has solely to do with the 2012 vote, despite the fact that the presidential election at the time was anything but clean.

SPIEGEL ONLINE: Were the elections manipulated?

Habashi: Definitely. First, there was no real election oversight. Every institution was controlled by the military, and the army very much wanted to prevent a representative of the revolution from being elected. With candidates like (Hosni Mubarak's last prime minister) Ahmed Shafiq and Morsi, they thought the things would tilt in their favor. Additionally, the Islamists invested a lot of money in the campaign and bought votes. No other political group could keep up.

SPIEGEL ONLINE: But internationally the elections were seen as exemplary.

Habashi: Most Egyptians felt they had been cheated out of their revolution, but they still accepted Morsi's victory. It wasn't a clear victory, though. Morsi had only a razor thin majority. His presidency was characterized by unbelievable arrogance and audacity. Morsi and his Muslim Brotherhood paid even less attention to the people's hardships than Mubarak.

SPIEGEL ONLINE: And that's why the military had to intervene on July 3?

Habashi: The Egyptian military did what it had to do. There was no other option, because millions of people wanted the Brotherhood to be stripped of power. What was the alternative -- to look on as democracy was undermined and destroyed? Do you know what people here say? They compare it to the purchase of preserved food that is supposed to last for four years. Imagine opening up the can to find that after just half a year, it has gone bad. What would you do? Eat it anyway or throw out the can?

SPIEGEL ONLINE: At the same time, since Morsi was ousted there have been fresh protests and attacks. Egypt has become more dangerous.

Habashi: Of course, many Islamists are radicalizing and turning to violence. That doesn't mean, however, that the country is sinking into chaos. The Muslim Brotherhood's popularity is sinking rapidly. Morsi supporters have never gotten more than 100,000 people onto the streets, whereas his opponents have drawn several million.

SPIEGEL ONLINE: Does the Muslim Brotherhood still believe it can turn the tide in its favor?

Habashi: No, the leaders of the Brotherhood know the end is coming. At a certain point, they will negotiate with the interim government and the military, but first they want to get as much out of it as they can.

SPIEGEL ONLINE: Europeans and the Americans have called on both sides to reconcile. Do you see any chance of this happening?

Habashi: What kind of reconciliation are we talking about? The Islamists are hardly interested in any kind of sustainable reconciliation. They are digging in their heels, unwilling to let go of their totalitarian ideology. A non-secular state according to Islamist ideology, which would inevitably discriminate against those with other religious beliefs, can never be a democratic one. The mainstream media often refer to the post-apartheid struggle in South Africa in this context. But the example is totally wrong. In South Africa, the white minority very clearly renounced its apartheid policies. That was the absolute prerequisite for reconciliation. The Muslim Brotherhood lacks that kind of insight.

SPIEGEL ONLINE: You referred to the fact that, initially at least, the Brotherhood and the military cooperated successfully. What went wrong?

Habashi: The military leadership and the Muslim Brotherhood had a clear deal stipulating that the generals would maintain all privileges and would not have to answer to any institution and that, in turn, the Islamists would be allowed to rule the country as they saw fit. At first, both sides upheld the deal. But as dissatisfaction with Morsi grew, the military could not remain inactive.

SPIEGEL ONLINE: After the downfall of Mubarak, revolutionaries had significant difficulties dealing with the military council. Why do you think things will go better this time?

Habashi: The military leadership has no interest in actually ruling the country. They would prefer to leave that to others. In 2011, they had no choice, because there actually was a power vacuum left behind after they sacrificed Mubarak and his clique. However, I will admit that the current revolt is comprised not only of revolutionaries, but also of members of the old regime. The coalition against Morsi spans from leftists to liberals to nationalists and right up to important military officials.

SPIEGEL ONLINE: In other words, the interim government currently in place is partly made up of the very individuals who were the target of protests in 2011.

Habashi: Yes, the interim government clearly is not a product of the revolution. However, it still represents a huge leap forward because we can expect that it will uphold the rule of law. And it is comprised of experts who truly understand something about economics, justice and agriculture. I anticipate that the most pressing problems will be addressed. There is hope again -- and there wasn't any during Morsi's last days.

SPIEGEL ONLINE: Do you think it is right that Morsi is still being detained at an undisclosed location? The European Union is demanding his release.

Habashi: Public prosecutors are still investigating him. At issue is the case of a jailbreak that the leadership of the Muslim Brotherhood was also involved in. There are even eyewitness reports. And that is just one of many allegations. There are lists establishing how Morsi's minions were given real estate either for free or at rock-bottom prices. But of course court procedures against Morsi also have to be fair and transparent. The justice system cannot be used to exact revenge.

Interview conducted by Daniel Steinvorth

URL:

· http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/mamduoh-habashi-discusses-the-situation-in-egypt-a-913166.html

How I Made Hezbollah's Blacklist

07/25/2013 02:57 PM
Pining for Beirut

How I Made Hezbollah's Blacklist

Over the last half-century, Beirut has gone from the being the "Switzerland of the Middle East" to a country plagued by instability. In a personal account, SPIEGEL reporter Erich Follath explains his difficult relationship with Hezbollah and his love of Beirut.Eight years ago, or back in the days when Hezbollah still liked me, I wanted to interview one of the organization's leaders in Beirut and found myself caught up in its well-oiled bureaucratic cogs.First, Hezbollah's "Media Relation Department" had me fill out a form. This included all the usual questions, such as how long I had been a journalist, where and what I had studied, then a request to "please provide exact details" on my nationality and religious affiliation, as well as that of my father and mother, followed by my date and place of birth. Then came the somewhat more unusual question of whether I had ever visited the "Zionist entity."Of course, I knew this was the term Hezbollah, the radical Shiite "Party of God," uses to describe Israel. But whether I should answer the question truthfully was less clear. In the end, I decided not to lie about my visits to Jerusalem. I had also published a book about Israel the previous year, and it had been issued in Arabic as well. So, if Hezbollah felt this "contact with the enemy" was reason enough to turn down my request to interview one of its leaders, then that would be that.Twenty-four hours later, I received a call telling me to show up at the organization's headquarters in the Beirut suburb of Haret Hreik later that afternoon. When I arrived, I was greeted by a young woman wearing jeans and a turtleneck. She told me that Hezbollah had looked over my information, and that my book about the Mossad, Israel's foreign intelligence agency, contained "some true points along with extensive enemy propaganda." I didn't get a chance to ask exactly which points those were.Then things got serious. The PR woman pulled a black abaya, the floor-length robe worn by many Arab women, over her Western outfit. Then we were escorted into the office of Mahmud Kumati, one of the deputy heads of Hezbollah. Only then did it occur to me that I hadn't mentioned my book on the form.The interview went forward with relatively few surprises. "The Jews" had occupied Arab land and needed to be defeated militarily, Kumati said. However, he continued, Hezbollah was unaware of having committed any terrorist acts against civilians -- a bold statement given the attacks it had carried out in Argentina in the mid-1990s. He also stated that the organization fights only "in our own land and for our own land," which apparently includes all of Israel. Hezbollah, he added, is not only a militia, but also a social organization and a normal political party that abides by the democratic process. Iran and Syria both support Hezbollah, he said, but he knew nothing about any weapons deliveries from them.SPIEGEL printed excerpts of this interview in the summer of 2005. Four months later, I received a New Year's card from the "Hezbollah Media Relation Department." The next January, I once again received their good wishes by mail. I showed off the card, feeling privileged -- that is, until I met Neil MacFarquhar, who had been the Middle East correspondent of the New York Times for several years. MacFarquhar silently handed me his own card from Hezbollah, which he received with a personalized greeting for his birthday.Years passed, and I never received a birthday greeting of my own. (Perhaps I had written my date of birth illegibly on the form?) But the New Year's cards continued to arrive like clockwork -- or at least until I ended up on Hezbollah's blacklist.Rumors of a Hit SquadThis happened after Rafik Hariri, Lebanon's Sunni prime minister for many years, was assassinated in February 2005. At the request of the Lebanese parliament, an independent United Nations committee launched an investigation.In the spring of 2009, sources involved in the Lebanon tribunal in The Hague provided me with documents showing that the judges had evidence of Hezbollah involvement in the assassination, and that four members of the organization would be indicted. SPIEGEL published this information, including the names of the alleged terrorists. Hezbollah vehemently denied the accusations.Over a year later, however, the Special Tribunal for Lebanon confirmed what SPIEGEL had published, finding Hezbollah guilty and issuing warrants for the arrest of the four high-ranking members of the organization named in the SPIEGEL article as the main suspects.Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah announced in a televised address that he would file libel charges in Lebanon against both me, as the author, and SPIEGEL's editors. And of course, he added, he would not hand over the accused -- who were "commendable fighters" -- to the tribunal. In fact, he threatened to cut off the hand of anyone who tried to do so.When January rolled around, I didn't receive my usual New Year's card from Hezbollah.Nasrallah's announcement has made it impossible for me to travel to Lebanon and made Beirut, one of my favorite cities, a personal no-go area. In fact, one Western intelligence agency purports to know of a hit squad waiting for me if I should ever show up there. That strikes me as a bit far-fetched. But considering the group's other bloody acts of revenge against "traitors" in the past, it can't be ruled out entirely.Risky Involvement in the Syrian WarHezbollah is facing existential questions these days, primarily because of the conflict in Syria. It appears that, at first, Hezbollah truly did try to keep out of the conflict between the rebels and government of President Bashar Assad. The radical Shiite militia's armed struggle is supposedly meant to solely target "Zionist occupiers," as was emphasized during my interview at Hezbollah's Beirut headquarters. Nasrallah undoubtedly knew that the price of fighting against an Arab opponent in an Arab country would be a loss of support for both Hezbollah and himself personally. But as his Syrian backers continued to lose ground, Nasrallah eventually decided to send his Hezbollah fighters into the fray.It wasn't until late May 2013 that Hezbollah publicly admitted to fighting on Assad's side. In the battle for the strategically important city of Qusair, Hezbollah fighters even assumed overall command of the operation, helping Assad's forces to victory.Hezbollah's PR machine came into play in this case, as well, organizing trips to the front for entire busloads of journalists. These reporters were even brought a few hundred meters into Syrian territory, where they were allowed to record their segments with columns of smoke in the background. The Süddeutsche Zeitung, a leading German newspaper, dubbed this highly filmable but macabre road show "Hezbollywood."Trouble Brewing on Multiple FrontsStill, Hezbollah's overall situation is nothing to joke about. In recent months, Israel's air force has bombed multiple deliveries of modern arms bound for fighters in the region along the Lebanese-Syrian border, and Syrian rebels have fired rockets at individual targets in southern Beirut in retaliation for Hezbollah's involvement in Qusair. What's more, resentment is growing among the inhabitants of Lebanon, where Hezbollah hasn't been this unpopular for a long time.What's more, this fall will bring a further embarrassment, when the tribunal in The Hague will begin its trial against the four indicted Hezbollah members "in absentia."And, on July 22, the European Union added the military wing of Hezbollah to its list of terrorist organizations, freezing members' bank accounts. This came in response to a suicide bombing in Burgas, Bulgaria, last June that killed six Israeli tourists. A clear trail of evidence led back to Hezbollah's headquarters in Beirut.A City Like No OtherStill, there has been one upside to Hezbollah's PR campaign: Presumably to avoid giving off the impression that it holds others guilty by association, those under Nasrallah have expressly exempted my colleague, SPIEGEL ONLINE Middle East correspondent Ulrike Putz, from criminal prosecution.My friends and acquaintances tell me that Beirut is still the freest and most fun-loving city in the Middle East, a place where each evening, when the summer heat abates, the young and the beautiful stroll the beach boulevards -- showtime in the Levant.That's the Beirut I remember from my first trip 45 years ago, when I shouldered my backpack and boarded a bus in Damascus bound for Beirut via Baalbek. Back then, Lebanon was known as the "Switzerland of the Middle East."On my last visit, in 2009, Beirut was still a city like no other. Young Christian women in skintight jeans, high heels and super-skimpy tops flirted with tanned beach boys, while young Sunni women promenaded more demurely, in casually wrapped, brightly colored headscarves and designer jeans. Here and there were just a few women covered head to toe, occasionally mocked as "ninjas" or "black moving objects" by disrespectful boys, but generally respected by all.Will the Syrian War Spill Over into Lebanon ?In its best moments, this city is a place of the eternal avant-garde, effortlessly uniting the seemingly irreconcilable. Indeed, Beirut is a blue-blooded bastard, the child of Western fathers and Arab mothers, addicted to pleasure, susceptible to catastrophe -- but resilient, immensely resilient.On my last visit, it seemed like the danger of seeing the very worst of times repeat themselves there had been averted. But now no one can be so sure anymore. It seems like the fighting in Syria might very well spill over into Lebanon, where a heavily armed Hezbollah functions as an unpredictable state within a state.Who knows, perhaps this year I'll get a birthday card from Hezbollah's media relations office, informing me that my "case" is no longer being prosecuted and enclosing an invitation to Lebanon.I'd be on the first plane out.Translated from the German by Ella OrnsteinURL:·        http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/spiegel-reporter-erich-follath-on-the-past-and-future-of-lebanon-a-913053.htmlRelated SPIEGEL ONLINE links:·        EU Terror List Hezbollah Unlikely to Feel Sanctions (07/22/2013)
http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,912448,00.htmlhttp://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,912448,00.html·        The Syrian Mire Middle East Divisions Deepen amid Civil War (05/28/2013)
http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,902137,00.htmlhttp://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,902137,00.html·        Bulgaria Bus Attack Berlin Wants Hezbollah On EU Terrorist Group List (03/29/2013)
http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,891665,00.htmlhttp://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,891665,00.html·        From the Archive Evidence Points to Hezbollah for Hariri Murder (05/23/2009)
http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,626412,00.htmlhttp://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,626412,00.html·        From the Archive Lebanon after the Cedar Revolution (07/11/2005)
http://www.spiegel.de/international/spiegel/0,1518,365104,00.htmlhttp://www.spiegel.de/international/spiegel/0,1518,365104,00.html© SPIEGEL ONLINE 2013 All Rights Reserved Reproduction only allowed with the permission of SPIEGELnet GmbH

Egypt: Five Die During Alexandria Clashes. BY sky news

Egypt: Five Die During Alexandria Clashes

The army threatens to shoot those who use violence as its supporters and those backing Mohamed Morsi take to the streets.

11:30pm UK, Friday 26 July 2013

Video: Five Die In Alexandria Clashes

Enlarge

At least five people have been killed in clashes between supporters and opponents of Egypt's ousted President Mohamed Morsi, according to the country's official news agency.

The deaths took place in Egypt's second biggest city of Alexandria, with reports also saying more than 70 were injured.

One of those killed is believed to be a 14-year-old boy, said Sky News' Tom Rayner, who is in Egypt.

"More information from the health ministry is suggesting these injuries were a mixture of shotgun pellets, bird shot, and of bladed weapons," added Rayner.

There were also a handful of injuries in Cairo - where tens of thousands gathered in Tahrir Square - but the majority of Friday's rallies passed off peacefully.

A deeply polarised Egypt was braced for violence ahead of the opposing demonstrations, called by the army and the Islamists who back Mr Morsi.

Army chief General Abdel Fattah al Sisi summoned Egyptians to the streets in an intended turning point in its confrontation with followers of Mr Morsi, the elected leader the military removed on July 3.

Anti-Mursi protesters in Tahrir Square — Pro-Army supporters massed in Cairo's Tahrir Square

Mr Sisi said he wanted Egyptians to give the military a "mandate" to take the necessary measures against "violence and terrorism".

The demonstrations come as Mr Morsi was formally detained over accusations he conspired with the Palestinian group Hamas in attacks that killed policeman during the country's 2011 revolution, as well as claims he helped organise prison breaks.

The claims were dismissed as "ridiculous" by his Muslim Brotherhood party, which has been camped out at street vigils calling for his reinstatement.

An army official said the military had given the party a Saturday deadline to end its resistance and join a military-set roadmap to fresh elections.

But the Brotherhood says it wants nothing to do with the army's transition plan and called its own crowds out for counter-demonstrations in a "day to remove the coup".

Mr Morsi has been in military detention at an undisclosed location since he was overthrown.

UN leader Ban Ki-moon has called on the military to free Mr Morsi and other Islamic Brotherhood leaders, said deputy UN spokesman Eduardo del Buey.

Both the army and the Muslim Brotherhood dramatically escalated rhetoric in the lead-up to the rallies, following a month of clashes in which about 200 people, mainly supporters of Mr Morsi, have died.

The army threatened to "turn its guns" on those who used violence.

In a Facebook post, the army said it would not "turn its guns against its people, but it will turn them against black violence and terrorism which has no religion or nation".

The main anti-Morsi youth protest group, which has backed the army, said it would go to the streets to "cleanse Egypt".

Army chief General Abdel Fattah al Sisi — Mr Sisi delivered his call to action in full military uniform

The Muslim Brotherhood has accused the army of pushing the nation towards civil war and committing a crime worse than destroying Islam's holiest site.

The Brotherhood also claims the authorities have been stirring up the violence to justify their crackdown.

The head of the army, Mr Sisi, was appointed by Mr Morsi in a bid by the president to rein in Egypt's all-powerful military.

But Mr Sisi turned against him after a year in which the Egyptian economy floundered and support for Mr Morsi slumped.

Posters of the general have since appeared in shops and stalls across Cairo.

The US - which has close ties with Egypt's military - said it was "very concerned" by Mr Sisi's call for mass rallies.

After Mr Sisi's comments, the US announced it would suspend a delivery of F-16 warplanes.

The country remains deeply split over Mr Morsi's ousting.

The Brotherhood accuses the army of ejecting a democratically elected leader in a long-planned coup, while its opponents say the army responded to the will of the people.

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Sunday, July 28, 2013

Saturday, July 27, 2013

07/25/2013 07:22 PM

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