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02 Feb 2011 08:11

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World: Egyptian protests: Pro-Mubarak, anti-Mubarak protesters clashing

  • 15+ injured in pro-gov’t and
    anti-gov’t clashes today source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

02 Feb 2011 07:59

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World: Pro-Mubarak Egyptians starting to raise some hell with protesters

  • The demonstrations I saw yesterday looked like they were orchestrated. If these people were really pro-Mubarak where on earth have they been the past week? People on the streets were saying these demonstrators were hired by the NDP (ruling party).
  • PR professional Mayan Fawaz • Throwing suspicion at a number of pro-Mubarak supporters (tens of thousands, roughly) that first showed up yesterday not long after the Egyptian president made his speech. The counter-protesters broke through human chains set up by the protesters. They held up signs and chanted things of their own. They got into fistfights with the protesters. People got injured. Are they real? Or is Fawaz right? source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

01 Feb 2011 22:38

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World: Egyptian protesters planning another protest Friday. Will they return?

  • I was angry, but now I am enraged. … Only one thing will make the anger go away: His immediate withdrawal. He must leave. That is the only thing that will make these people go back to their homes.
  • Egyptian protester Abdullah Rawaq • Expressing anger about President Hosni Mubarak’s speech today, where he revealed he would not run for re-election this year – which was far less than protesters were hoping for. People were chanting such things as “He must go! We will not go!” and “Get out! Get out!” And in case he’s wondering whether he’s going to get away from today’s protests scot-free, now’s a good time to note that more huge protests are scheduled for Friday. The hard part about all this, of course, is not starting the protests, but keeping them going. Will the huge crowds return on Friday? source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

01 Feb 2011 21:42

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Politics: Obama on Mubarak: Barack is still speaking in code about Egypt

  • An orderly transition must be meaningful, it must be peaceful, and it must begin now.
  • President Obama • Speaking tonight about Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak’s plan to not run for re-election this year, a decision that his administration pushed – to the point where a diplomat reportedly came to visit Mubarak in Egypt. Obama also had this to say about the country’s forthcoming election process: “Furthermore, the process must include a broad spectrum of Egyptian voices and opposition parties. It should lead to elections that are free and fair. And it should result in a government that’s not only grounded in democratic principles but is also responsive to the aspirations of the Egyptian people.” A little clearer than he has been recently regarding Egypt, but our boy’s still speaking in code a little. Criticize the guy if you mean to criticize him! source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

01 Feb 2011 00:27

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World: Israeli government: Egypt’s army “an anchor” for regional stability

  • Maintaining the stability that has lasted in Egypt for the past 30 years is a goal of highest importance for Israel on the regional level. The Egyptian army, which is faithful to Mubarak, is an anchor and thus the army’s leaders bear the responsibility for continued stability.
  • Israeli Knesset minister Shaul Mofaz • Relating the Israeli perspective on the turmoil taking place in Egypt. Mofaz is the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, and had a lot to say. In his eyes, it’s best for Israel if Mubarek survives the protests and holds elections in September, which is possible as “the protesters lack an organized leadership.” He also spoke to Iran’s perspective on the conflict, saying that Iranian leaders are “watching the events in Egypt with enjoyment,” in hopes that the Muslim Brotherhood takes over. High stakes be damned, Mofaz ultimately stated that Israel should not get involved. source
Posted by Seth Millstein • 0 Comments • Permalink

31 Jan 2011 10:51

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World: Analyst: The military holds the cards for Egypt’s future

  • Although preparations I believe are being made by the top brass for a – in quotes – ‘respectable stepping down’ or ‘stepping aside’ of Mr. Mubarak, the military are aware that… this is a time for change. But I think they are also trying to protect themselves, and want to be very much part of the transition process.
  • Chatham House Middle East and North Africa specialist Maha Azzam • Discussing the military’s role in the Egyptian protests. While Hosni Mubarak holds onto power, it’s a very tenuous hold and one that could completely fall apart in the days to come, and the country’s powerful military is in a position best-suited to ensure the kind of leader that they want. Azzam also notes that while the lower rungs of the military appear to support the protesters, it’s not that way throughout the power structure. “In the upper echelons of the military,” he says, “we’re seeing continued support for the regime.” source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

30 Jan 2011 11:14

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World: ElBaradei: Hosni Mubarak needs to “leave today and save the country”

  • I think this is a hopeless, desperate attempt by Mubarak to stay in power. I think it is loud and clear from everybody in Egypt that Mubarak has to leave today, and it is non-negotiable for every Egyptian.
  • Mohamed ElBaradei • Speaking on CNN’s “Fareed Zakaria GPS” about the situation in Egypt. The Nobel Peace Prize winner, who has also been the head of the UN’s nuclear watchdog, has also offered to lead on a temporary basis if the Egyptian people want him to serve. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink
 

30 Jan 2011 11:06

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U.S., World: Hillary Clinton toughens her words on Egyptian situation

  • yeah … U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is calling for Egypt to have an “orderly, peaceful transition” to a “real democracy,” which is much further than the Obama administration has gone so far during the crisis. Hopefully, they’ll go much further.
  • … but Clinton later dodged the military aid question: “We always are looking and reviewing our aid but right now we are trying to convey a message that is very clear, that we want to ensure there is no violence and no provocation that result in violence.” source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

29 Jan 2011 12:19

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World: Influential Muslim cleric: Egypt’s Hosni Mubarak must go

  • President Mubarak … I advise you to depart from Egypt … There is no other solution to this problem but for Mubarak to go.
  • Influential Arab cleric Yusuf al-Qaradawi • Claiming that Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak is “blind, deaf and dumb” to criticisms about his leadership. Al-Qaradawi, a Sunni Muslim cleric who holds dual nationalities in Egypt and Qatar, says Mubarak should follow in the footsteps of Ben Ali in Tunisia: “There is no staying longer, Mubarak, I advise you (to learn) the lesson of Zine El Abidine Ben Ali,” he said. While he supports the protesters, he says that they “must come through peaceful means” that don’t attack state institutions. The cleric, by the way, is seen as controversial in much of the world for his sometimes-radical views, and while he’s famous in the Middle East, the U.S. and Britain refuse to grant him visas to enter their countries. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

29 Jan 2011 10:09

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World: What do Egypt’s neighbors have to say about the protests?

  • saudis Saudi King Abdullah called Egypt’s Hosni Mubarak to say this: “No Arab and Muslim human being can bear that some infiltrators, in the name of freedom of expression, have infiltrated into the brotherly people of Egypt.” So, he’s totally on Mubarak’s side still.
  • palestinians Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas called Mubarak and “affirmed his solidarity with Egypt and and his commitment to is its security and stability.” Thats’s not as direct as the Saudis, but still clearly favoring Mubarak. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink
 
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