IMAGE: Egyptians in Tahir Square out in their millions to celebrate exit of US/British-backed Muslim Brotherhood.
21st Century Wire says…
The night of the long knives begins, as the Egyptian military begin cleaning house following the forced exit of Morsi and the Muslim Brotherhood.
Already, both President Barack Obama and UK Foreign Secretary William Hague have opposed the transition of political power in Egypt, decrying this week’s events as “undemocratic”, but it seems their views run opposite to the will of the Egyptian people, as well as from the people in the Middle East overall – in what has been an overwhelming vote in favor of Arab Nationalism – over Islamic theocracies.
Obama, visibly upset by the loss of the party The White House installed into power only a year ago, stated, “We are deeply concerned by the decision of the Egyptian Armed Forces to remove President Morsi and suspend the Egyptian constitution. I now call on the Egyptian military to move quickly and responsibly to return full authority back to a democratically elected civilian government”.
Morsi’s sudden outser could affect the $1.5 billion in military aid given to Egypt annually by the US, but the aid is seen by many in Washington and Tel Aviv as a balancing element in the region, and beneficial to Israel and Egypt’s mutual security concerns.
Even the conservative United Arab Emirates have come out immediately in favor of this week’s result in Egypt, which should come as a surprise to many, considering their position between Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
Adly Mansour: Filling the hot seat in Cairo.
After the dust settles around Cairo, however, the country will have to fend against the imminent danger of slipping into a civil war over the coming 12 months, as the political wounds suffered this week by Islamic factions are deep and may fester should the military and their interim leader, judge Adly Mansour, chairman of the Supreme Constitutional Court – fall out of favour with what is now a politically restless population – one which is in danger of drifting into sectarianism.
Mohamed Beltagy of the Brotherhood’s political arm – the Freedom and Justice Party, told reporters that, “Morsi’s overthrow could lead to violence…”.
Unfortunately for Washington’s central planners, there is an overwhelmingly anti-American flavor running through Tahir Square, as Egyptians have wised up to some of the more covert aspects of US nation-building in the 21st century, with many protesters brandishing some shocking signs directed at US officials.
IMAGES: US Ambassador Ann Patterson and Obama do not appear to be popular in Cairo these days.
Certainly, this could be viewed as an upgrade from the usual flag burning – an indication that Middle Eastern protesters are becoming smarter by focusing on corrupt leaders in the seats of power, rather than venting their anger at America as whole. In this way, one could say that Egyptians appear to share a common cause with millions of Americans whose frustration is rising against the endless scandals plaguing Washington DC at present.
The Daily Mail provides some interesting details…
Egypt celebrates arrest of Muslim Brotherhood leader as army hunts three hundred followers of deposed president Morsi
David Williams, James Rush and Simon Tomlinson
Mail Online
- Mohammed Badie detained in Mediterranean coastal city near Libyan border over killings outside Cairo HQ
- Egyptian president Mohamed Morsi being held at Presidential Guard facility just a year after coming to power
- Judge in Egypt’s supreme court, Adly Mansour, sworn in as interim president in Cairo just hours after coup
- BBC reporter tweeted that people were chanting ‘no more beards’ apparently aimed at the Muslim Brotherhood
- Arrest warrants have been issued for 300 members of Morsi’s Muslim Brotherhood party as round-up begins
- Military suspends Islamist-drafted constitution, calls for new elections and said it would install civilian government
- Fears grow as Islamists take to Twitter to organise series of rallies to coincide with Friday prayers
- At least 14 people have been killed in violent clashes after declaration by head of Egyptian army in TV broadcast
- President Obama urges military to hand back control to democratic government, but stops short of calling it a coup
- British foreign secretary says uprising sets a ‘dangerous precedent’ and UK did not support military intervention
- Rapid reaction team of diplomats despatched to Cairo to prepare for possible evacuation of British nationals
The supreme leader of Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood has been arrested over the killing of eight protesters during the uprising which toppled President Mohamed Morsi, security officials revealed today.
Mohammed Badie was detained late last night in the Mediterranean coastal city of Marsa Matrouh, near the Libyan border, where he has been staying in a villa owned by a businessman with Brotherhood links.
He was flown to Cairo on a military helicopter, according to the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media.
He, and his powerful deputy, Khairat el-Shater, are wanted for questioning over their role in the killing this week of eight demonstrators in clashes outside the Brotherhood’s Cairo headquarters.
A report by the official news agency gave no further details, but Mr Badie and Mr el-Shater are on a wanted list of more than 300 Brotherhood members and leaders of other Islamist groups.
The BBC Middle East Editor Jeremy Bowen reporting from Egypt tweeted that a chant secular Egypt loves to hear at demos is: ‘No more beards’, in relation to the beard-wearing Muslim Brotherhood…
READ MORE MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD NEWS AT: 21WIRE M.B. Files
