Cairo: A confrontation appeared imminent between Egypt’s ruling military and activists linked to the so-called April 6 movement, with the former accusing the pro democracy group of trying to “drive a wedge” between the army and the people after protesters marched to the defence headquarters to push for a quicker change.
The Supreme Council of Armed Forces posted a statement yesterday on its official Facebook page, contending that the group that helped launch the anti-Hosni Mubarak uprising, had a hidden “agenda”.
The terms the statement used to describe the movement were the similar to what the former regime used to describe the people who had taken to streets in January to seek the ouster of former president Mubarak.
On this Friday, like every week, a rally was held in Tahrir Square to call for swift justice for officers who killed Egyptian citizens during the January uprising, while similar protests were held in other parts of Cairo to support the SCAF and to honour the ousted president. Other protests were held in different governorates in support of the Tahrir square protesters.
By night, social networking sites were abuzz with reports that protesters in Alexandira and Suez were attacked by military police and as a response thousands had decided to march to the headquarters of the SCAF in Cairo on the anniversary of the 1952 Egyptian revolution.
Military police fired shots in the air to disperse the approaching crowds and later the SCAF issued the statement accusing the 6 April movement of trying to “drive a wedge” between the army and the people.
SCAF then issued another statement thanking honourable Egyptians who had formed human shields to buffer an area between the protestors and the SCAF headquarters.
A close analysis of the social network media shows Egyptians spilt into two groups. While one section supports the army and its actions in this critical phase for Egypt, the other is appalled by the developments especially the tactics of using the same discourse used during the former regime describing certain groups as “traitors”.
The head of SCAF is expected to deliver a speech today to mark the anniversary of the 1952 revolution. It is to be seen if he mentions on Friday’s incidents.
Meanwhile, Egyptian youth protesters vowed today to remain in Tahrir Square until their demands are met, in escalating tension between demonstrators and the military council running the country.
Egyptian military police fired shots in the air and beat demonstrators blocking a main road in Alexandria on Friday, witnesses said. Another incident in the port city of Suez angered hundreds of protesters camping in Cairo’s Tahrir Square.
The ruling military council, in a statement on its Facebook page, denied the authorities used force against demonstrators. (Agencies)
protesters vowed today to remain in Tahrir Square until their demands are met, in escalating tension between demonstrators and the military council running the country.
Egyptian military police fired shots in the air and beat demonstrators blocking a main road in Alexandria yesterday, witnesses said. Another incident in the port city of Suez angered hundreds of protesters camping in Cairo’s Tahrir Square.
The ruling military council, in a statement on its Facebook page, denied the authorities used force against demonstrators and accused the April 6 Movement, one of the groups behind the uprising that toppled Hosni Mubarak, of trying to drive a wedge between the armed forces and the people.
April 6 described the army statement as ”misleading allegations”, adding: ”We will not be scared by any allegation lacking in evidence or support”.
”We will be the last to leave Tahrir Square, either alive with our heads held high after triumphantly achieving the demands of the Egyptian people or as martyrs for the sake of God and the nation,” the group added.
Egypt’s interim rulers have reshuffled Prime Minister Essam Sharaf’s cabinet and promised to speed up trials and political reforms, but thousands are keeping up protests across Egypt for the longest-running demonstration since Mubarak was ousted.
and accused the April 6 Movement, one of the groups behind the uprising that toppled Hosni Mubarak, of trying to drive a wedge between the armed forces and the people.
April 6 described the army statement as ”misleading allegations”, adding: ”We will not be scared by any allegation lacking in evidence or support”.
”We will be the last to leave Tahrir Square, either alive with our heads held high after triumphantly achieving the demands of the Egyptian people or as martyrs for the sake of God and the nation,” the group added.
Egypt’s interim rulers have reshuffled Prime Minister Essam Sharaf’s cabinet and promised to speed up trials and political reforms, but thousands are keeping up protests across Egypt for the longest-running demonstration since Mubarak was ousted. (PTI)