EGYPT: Army calls protests 'freedom of speech,' won't use force to dispel demonstrators

The Egyptian army recognizes mass protests consuming the country as the people's legitimate right to "freedom of expression" and will not use force against the demonstrators, an army spokesman said in a statement read on Egyptian state television Monday night local time in Egypt.

It was the first concrete assurance given by the military that soldiers wouldn't shoot on those protesting peacefully in demand of President Hosni Mubarak's ouster.

"The presence of the army in the streets is for your sake and to ensure your safety and well-being," the statement said. "The armed forces will not resort to use of force against our great people."

Soldiers have been patrolling the streets of Cairo and other major Egyptian cities since most police and security forces withdrew over the weekend after deadly clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement still loyal to Mubarak's authoritarian leadership. The army rank and file are drawn from throughout the country and have close and historic ties to the people.

The government has extended a curfew from 3 p.m. to 8 a.m., but thousands of protesters have refused to leave the scenes of protests, occupying Cairo's central Tahrir Square and paralyzing huge swaths of the capital.

Tanks and armored vehicles have been posted on the sidelines of the protests, but army troops have refrained from enforcing the curfew or attempting to break up the biggest anti-government demonstrations in decades.

In its statement, the army warned Egyptians against looting and sabotage, saying it wouldn't tolerate lawlessness and acts that "terrorize citizens."

-- Carol J. Williams

Photo: An Egyptian man carries a child on his shoulders near Cairo's museum during protests in downtown Cairo. Credit: Manuel de Almeida / EPA.

Comments

[JEONG CHUN PHUOC]

"The Fall of Hosni Mubarak and Lessons in International Justice"
12 Feb 2011
Jeong Chun phuoc

A New Beginning
The recent events and increasing turmoils all over Egypt are indication of a positive outcome for the 'People of Tahrir' ("What's Next?", NST, 13 Feb 2011, at page one).

The people of Egypt has won their first stage of a long walk towards true 'Tahrir'(liberation) on 12 Feb 2011 after Hosni M made a delayed tactical concession to the people of Egypt. Another seven months of uncertainties rest on the shoulders of the Tahrir's populace.

Hosni Mubarak's theatricals or in Malay 'Sandiwara' came to an emphatic end in similar fashion how Rooney's spectacular volley crushed Manchester City's remaining hope of a renaissance at Old Traffold (in the Manchester United vs Manchester City match on 12 Feb 2011)('Superd Devils', NST, 13 Feb2011 at page 72).

But this is just a 'muqadimah'(beginning') for the people of Egypt.

Immediately, both Amr Moussa and Mohamed El-Baradei made it public that they may run for president. But the people of Tahrir are fully aware that their historical performance leave much to be desired.

Political Uncertainties
But no body can say for sure whether they will not wear the same shoe worn by Hosni Mubarak, acknowledged to be an 'exemplary' day-time Pharoah who ruled Egypt with an iron fist under military sanction/martial law for 30 years.

Self-Assessment in the Mid-East and the Arab Nations Reaction
Egypt's Arab neighbours -although vindicated by the turns of such events since the 1978 post -David Camp accord-certainly do not relish the idea of dealing with another Egyptian 'megalomaniac Pharoah' again when the equation of Arab-Israel rises for deliberation in the coming months. There is also a need for the Arab world to conduct a self-evaluation exercise or 'muhasabah' and the need for reformation of true Islamic justice as advocated by the Holy Prophet Muhammad and re-affirmed in his 'Last Sermon' before his death.

At this point in time, there is no clear answer to the burning question : who can fill the gap left by Hosni Mubarak?

Political Change and a dearth of Alternative
'Ikhwanu Muslimin'(the Party of Muslim Brotherhood) may provide some answers. But theirs are based on visions which may not be shared by the other stratum of the Egyptian society ie the Christians and the non-muslims strata. Even within the muslim sectors, many do not see eye to eye with the advocates of the Party of Brotherhood.

US Delusion and Israeli's interference in Mid-East
Barack Obama heaved a sign of utter relief after US Mid -East ally Hosni Mubarak finally relinquished his strong arm tactics under both intense domestic and international pressures.

Obama's Choice
After all, Hosni M was not Obama's true Mid-East ally and certainly Hosni M was not the right man for the US job in current Obama's US-Arab Foreign Affairs Policy consideration.

At this point in time, there are no political parties who may assume the role as the true speaker of the Egyptian people.

Formation of the Liberation Party
Perhaps, the 'Tahrir Party' may be a bridge towards a new beginning for the people of Egypt-free from historical baggage: a party which can act without 'fear and favour' for the people of Egypt and a critical lesson in international justice for all Modern Democratic Nations including US and Israel.

.............................
Jeong Chun phuoc
Lecturer-in-Law
An advocate in Strategic Environment and Taxation Intelligence(SETI)
and a Reader in Islamic Comparative Studies
He can be contacted at Jeongphu@yahoo.com