500 days after Mubarak's ouster by revolutionary demonstrations, an announcement on the next leader of Egypt is to be made today at 3:00 pm local time.
As you've seen from various news reports, Tahrir Square has been full nearly all week in anticipation of the election results. The news reports have been implying that all that are gathering are pro-Muslim Brotherhood candidate OR simply anti-military rule, but as you can see from the Al Jazeera video above, there are a few brave Shafiq and pro-military supporters showing up in Tahrir Square to share their opinions.
"Tensions are high" may be the grandest understatement.
Though there have been statements about respecting the electoral process and not responding with violence, but there have been an equal number of statements of force and aggression to retake the country from the military if the announcement goes Shafiq's way.
There are many who have expressed that the delay in the announcement is only to give time to the Presidential Election Commission to recount the votes in a way that makes Shafiq the winner. Though neither candidate has reclaimed victory since the PEC began hearing appeals and recounting the votes, the legal counsel for the Muslim Brotherhood (who was present at the recount) has reported that Morsy was still the victor.
Such statements have the crowds in Tahrir ready to burst into celebration if Morsy is announced as President (keeping in mind that many do not favor the MB candidate, they just voted for the guy not associated with Mubarak); however, if Shafiq is named president, then all this emotion could erupt violently.
Police, according to this CNN report, have been given a "shoot to kill" order if necessary to protect themselves, police stations, courthouses, and government buildings. Such an order, coupled with the (Supreme Council of Armed Forces) SCAF's earlier statement about meeting any opposition with an "iron fist" could be the fuel for a violent day.
Pray for Egypt...
As you've seen from various news reports, Tahrir Square has been full nearly all week in anticipation of the election results. The news reports have been implying that all that are gathering are pro-Muslim Brotherhood candidate OR simply anti-military rule, but as you can see from the Al Jazeera video above, there are a few brave Shafiq and pro-military supporters showing up in Tahrir Square to share their opinions.
"Tensions are high" may be the grandest understatement.
Though there have been statements about respecting the electoral process and not responding with violence, but there have been an equal number of statements of force and aggression to retake the country from the military if the announcement goes Shafiq's way.
There are many who have expressed that the delay in the announcement is only to give time to the Presidential Election Commission to recount the votes in a way that makes Shafiq the winner. Though neither candidate has reclaimed victory since the PEC began hearing appeals and recounting the votes, the legal counsel for the Muslim Brotherhood (who was present at the recount) has reported that Morsy was still the victor.
Such statements have the crowds in Tahrir ready to burst into celebration if Morsy is announced as President (keeping in mind that many do not favor the MB candidate, they just voted for the guy not associated with Mubarak); however, if Shafiq is named president, then all this emotion could erupt violently.
Police, according to this CNN report, have been given a "shoot to kill" order if necessary to protect themselves, police stations, courthouses, and government buildings. Such an order, coupled with the (Supreme Council of Armed Forces) SCAF's earlier statement about meeting any opposition with an "iron fist" could be the fuel for a violent day.
Pray for Egypt...
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