Egypt continues to be in turmoil despite Western intervention for peace. There was a bloodbath recently as security forces stormed two sit-ins held by supporters of deposed President Muhammed Morsi. At least 149 people including two journalists died. At the same time, three churches were attacked by the Islamists. Christian activists put the blame on the pro-Morsi camp. The government has declared a month-long emergency and a daily curfew in Cairo and 13 other provinces. Egypt’s interim vice-president Muhammed E.L. Baradel has resigned in protest against the crackdown. The army and the interim government had been repeatedly asking the protestors to stop their agitation. The government has however denied the use of arms and ammunition though the Muslim Brotherhood supporters set fire in Alexandria and a city in the Nile delta.
Turkey has urged the UN Security Council and the Arab League to act quickly to stop the massacre in Egypt. Iran has warned of the risks of civil war as in Syria. The EU and several of its members deplored the recent killings. The US also condemned the crackdown on protestors and urged the UN Security Council to take prompt action. Egypt is heading for a fresh election within a year which will usher in democratic governance. That will juice up the withering economy of the country. But if the fighting continues, it may take longer than expected. The Western powers are united on the Egypt issue and it is difficult to understand why the UN Security Council continues to be passive.