The news is happening so fast, we feel like we can hardly keep up -- and then, without warning, when
we most want to hear something, the news stops...
So, let's rewind...
- yesterday, June 30, was a historic day of mass demonstration against President Morsi all across Egypt, not just Cairo, which dwarfed the pro-Morsi crowds earlier in the weekend.
- we were uncertain, even with such a display, if this would lead to any resolution because the President had been totally defiant, offering no concession to the demands of either early elections or completely stepping down and away from the office.
- last night, the Tamarod "rebel" campaign gave the Morsi administration a deadline of 5:00pm Tuesday, July 2 before acts of civil disobedience would ensue and potentially storming the Presidential Palace. On the contrary, there were Islamist groups and supporters that were stating that they would protect the legitimacy of the President and their religion with their lives.
- in our post this morning, we noted that the police had made their stand with the people, as the judiciary probably had as they had been trumped by Morsi several times in the past year, but that the real wild card would be Egypt's military--would they say/do anything, how long would it take, etc.
- while we're pondering those things, Muslim Brotherhood houses and offices were continually attacked, even looted by "activists", not necessarily those who gathered in city centers across the country to peacefully demonstrate. Some of this was "retaliation" for reported attacks by "MB" during yesterday's marches; others were just mere vandalism gone wrong. The Muslim Brotherhood scheduled a 7:30 pm press conference for Monday, July 1 to address these attacks. The President's office also indicated that they too would address the country at 9:00 pm.
- in the afternoon, Tamarod organizers called for the beginning stages of civil disobedience to begin with human chains around the Palace and Tahrir Square as 100's of demonstrators refused to leave those areas since last night; they further announced that their historic efforts would end Tuesday, July 2 with a "Perseverance March" that would end at the Palace by the 5:00pm deadline.
- Over the weekend, several had died throughout the country and 100's more injured; and, clashes were expected to only continue and escalate in the midst of all the waiting for July 2.
THEN...
- the Military called for an afternoon Press Conference--everyone was a buzz and waiting for what the military leadership might say.
- the Military's press conference was short and too the point: 1) it sided with the historic display of the people, 2) it gave the government a 48 hour deadline to meet the demands of the people, and 3) if nothing was accomplished in 48 hours, they would initiate a roadmap to a transition of power. (READ full statement in English here)
- the result has been equally divided -- 1000's took to the streets cheering, honking horns, waving flags, and cheering -- Tahrir, the Palace and nearly every city center previously occupied in the last 24 hours began to fill again. BUT, the supporters of President Morsi, the Muslim Brotherhood, the Islamic Alliance, and all those supporting the "legitimacy of the President" were livid -- they are not going sit by and allow the President to be subject to a coup, at least that's a summary of a variety of reports.
- David Kirkpatrick writes a good commentary here at this link
So...
- everyone is either happy or mad, and everyone's waiting on the Brotherhood and President's press conferences - 7:30 comes and goes, nothing.
9:00 comes and goes, nothing.
Apparently the Brotherhood and President have been in emergency meetings since the military announcement.
- First the President's office made an announcement that they were canceling the press conference and would issue a statement; then, they cancelled the statement.
- The Brotherhood had crowds waiting to hear something but no official statement; one of those in the meeting left to address the crowd briefly; El-Beltagy reportedly said, "We won't allow early presidential elections over our dead bodies" to a roaring crowd. According to another tweet from reporter Bel Trew, El-Beltagy also told the crowd, "say goodbye to wives & children because they were going to die as martyrs"!
- There is a late report tonight of the Brotherhood encouraging 50 pro-Morsi marches in the country tomorrow. Apparently, while I was typing this post, the Brotherhood did have a press conference (after 12:00 am!) -basically, in partnership with the Islamic Alliance and the "legitimacy coalition", the groups reject the Armed Forces statement, saying the military is for all people and cannot be used against the Presidency -- they are not only calling for marches, but for similar sit-ins to Tamarod until the President is safe and his legitimacy secure. Oh, and they further decry the use of violence by the opposition groups.
And, we're back again at where we started the day...
NOW WHAT???
- It's disappointing that President Morsi did not address the nation tonight, but understandable -- he's got a lot to attempt to figure out in a short window of time. Right now, things don't only look grim for his political career, but for his future in Egypt--what else will he do? where would he go? and how do you respond to the potential of a military coup when millions just told you to leave? It's the top of "no-win-situations".
- Yet, again, all eyes are on the Presidency and that office has the platform at this moment to prevent Egypt from disintegrating into civil conflict -- things are tense according to different reports we are reading; in various governorates, reports of clashes between groups, more violence and vandalism, putting down signs and taking up weapons.
I hope these "emergency meetings" are about choosing the right words to preserve a country, not just an office.
I know that many of you are hoping and praying the same. Thank you for your interest and prayers for Egypt.
Stay tuned...
 |
| shortly after the military's announcement today, five helicopters flew over Tahrir Square with flags of Egypt displayed, which led to the cheers of thousands of gathered demonstrators. |
So, let's rewind...
- yesterday, June 30, was a historic day of mass demonstration against President Morsi all across Egypt, not just Cairo, which dwarfed the pro-Morsi crowds earlier in the weekend.
- we were uncertain, even with such a display, if this would lead to any resolution because the President had been totally defiant, offering no concession to the demands of either early elections or completely stepping down and away from the office.
- last night, the Tamarod "rebel" campaign gave the Morsi administration a deadline of 5:00pm Tuesday, July 2 before acts of civil disobedience would ensue and potentially storming the Presidential Palace. On the contrary, there were Islamist groups and supporters that were stating that they would protect the legitimacy of the President and their religion with their lives.
- in our post this morning, we noted that the police had made their stand with the people, as the judiciary probably had as they had been trumped by Morsi several times in the past year, but that the real wild card would be Egypt's military--would they say/do anything, how long would it take, etc.
- while we're pondering those things, Muslim Brotherhood houses and offices were continually attacked, even looted by "activists", not necessarily those who gathered in city centers across the country to peacefully demonstrate. Some of this was "retaliation" for reported attacks by "MB" during yesterday's marches; others were just mere vandalism gone wrong. The Muslim Brotherhood scheduled a 7:30 pm press conference for Monday, July 1 to address these attacks. The President's office also indicated that they too would address the country at 9:00 pm.
- in the afternoon, Tamarod organizers called for the beginning stages of civil disobedience to begin with human chains around the Palace and Tahrir Square as 100's of demonstrators refused to leave those areas since last night; they further announced that their historic efforts would end Tuesday, July 2 with a "Perseverance March" that would end at the Palace by the 5:00pm deadline.
- Over the weekend, several had died throughout the country and 100's more injured; and, clashes were expected to only continue and escalate in the midst of all the waiting for July 2.
THEN...
- the Military called for an afternoon Press Conference--everyone was a buzz and waiting for what the military leadership might say.
- the Military's press conference was short and too the point: 1) it sided with the historic display of the people, 2) it gave the government a 48 hour deadline to meet the demands of the people, and 3) if nothing was accomplished in 48 hours, they would initiate a roadmap to a transition of power. (READ full statement in English here)
- the result has been equally divided -- 1000's took to the streets cheering, honking horns, waving flags, and cheering -- Tahrir, the Palace and nearly every city center previously occupied in the last 24 hours began to fill again. BUT, the supporters of President Morsi, the Muslim Brotherhood, the Islamic Alliance, and all those supporting the "legitimacy of the President" were livid -- they are not going sit by and allow the President to be subject to a coup, at least that's a summary of a variety of reports.
- David Kirkpatrick writes a good commentary here at this link
So...
- everyone is either happy or mad, and everyone's waiting on the Brotherhood and President's press conferences - 7:30 comes and goes, nothing.
9:00 comes and goes, nothing.
Apparently the Brotherhood and President have been in emergency meetings since the military announcement.
- First the President's office made an announcement that they were canceling the press conference and would issue a statement; then, they cancelled the statement.
- The Brotherhood had crowds waiting to hear something but no official statement; one of those in the meeting left to address the crowd briefly; El-Beltagy reportedly said, "We won't allow early presidential elections over our dead bodies" to a roaring crowd. According to another tweet from reporter Bel Trew, El-Beltagy also told the crowd, "say goodbye to wives & children because they were going to die as martyrs"!
- There is a late report tonight of the Brotherhood encouraging 50 pro-Morsi marches in the country tomorrow. Apparently, while I was typing this post, the Brotherhood did have a press conference (after 12:00 am!) -basically, in partnership with the Islamic Alliance and the "legitimacy coalition", the groups reject the Armed Forces statement, saying the military is for all people and cannot be used against the Presidency -- they are not only calling for marches, but for similar sit-ins to Tamarod until the President is safe and his legitimacy secure. Oh, and they further decry the use of violence by the opposition groups.
And, we're back again at where we started the day...
NOW WHAT???
- It's disappointing that President Morsi did not address the nation tonight, but understandable -- he's got a lot to attempt to figure out in a short window of time. Right now, things don't only look grim for his political career, but for his future in Egypt--what else will he do? where would he go? and how do you respond to the potential of a military coup when millions just told you to leave? It's the top of "no-win-situations".
- Yet, again, all eyes are on the Presidency and that office has the platform at this moment to prevent Egypt from disintegrating into civil conflict -- things are tense according to different reports we are reading; in various governorates, reports of clashes between groups, more violence and vandalism, putting down signs and taking up weapons.
I hope these "emergency meetings" are about choosing the right words to preserve a country, not just an office.
I know that many of you are hoping and praying the same. Thank you for your interest and prayers for Egypt.
Stay tuned...
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