Egypt: What’s Happening Now (Updated)
UPDATED (8:34p EST): Al Jazeera has released a new casualty list. According to the station, over 20 people have been killed and over a 1,000 have been injured. Activists online claim that hundreds, perhaps more than a thousand, others have been arrested from across the country.
The Egyptian army just moved into the northern city of Alexandria. Protesters have burnt down the government headquarters in the city and several police stations, which are now all being guarded by the army. Even as it’s nearly 4 AM in Egypt, the capital Cairo is still being rocked by explosions according to multiple witnesses inside the city. No independent confirmation exists of the cause of these explosions.
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UPDATED (7:00p EST): Rough transcript of President Obama’s speech on Egypt:
President Obama started by saying that the White House had been been monitoring the the situation in Egypt. He called on Egyptian authorities to not use violence against their people. He also said that the Egyptian people have the right to free speech, assembly, and association and to determine their own destiny.
He asked the Egyptian government to remove the internet blockage and restrictions on social websites. He then asked the people of Egypt to not use violence and work towards their goals using peaceful means. He stressed that the United States has a close partnership with Egypt. But it is clear that there must be social, political, and economic reforms that meet the Egyptian people’s aspirations.
He mentioned that he spoke to Mubarak and told him that he should deliver on his promises that he had made to the Egyptian people in his speech an hour ago. He also stressed that ultimately, the future of Egypt would be determined by the Egyptian people and that they wanted the same thing the people of the United States want: a better life and a just and responsive government.
He added that the U.S. will be a partner in pursuit of aspirations and will be working with the Egyptian government and people to secure their future. The president concluded by saying that the new generation in Egypt had the right to be heard and that the U.S. will continue to stand up for the rights of the Egyptian people and will work with the Egyptian government in pursuit of a better future for them.
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UPDATED (6:33p EST): As the protests continue, several people are claiming that the army may be providing riot police and other security forces with live ammunition to use against protesters. This cannot be denied or confirmed yet. Many people inside Egypt on social networking sites — using proxies to connect on the single remaining ISP that hasn’t been blocked by the government — are showing anger and discontent at President Mubarak’s speech and his refusal to cede power.
Jeremy Scahill of The Nation claimed on Twitter that President Barack Obama was on the phone with Mubarak for half an hour. No other source has confirmed this yet.
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UPDATED (6:14p EST): Protesters have not gone home after the speech by President Mubarak. They continue to chant anti-government and anti-Mubarak slogans and remain at large in Cairo and other cities.
The first reaction by an opposition party comes from the Muslim Brotherhood. A leader of the Brotherhood told Al Jazeera moments ago that Mubarak must step down and [in case he doesn't] the military must step in and remove him.
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UPDATED (5:40p EST): After the conclusion of Mubarak’s speech, protesters were heard on Al Jazeera screaming: “Down Down with Mubarak!”
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UPDATED (5:36p EST): Hosni Mubarak appeared on Egypt’s Nile TV, declaring that he has asked the government — presumably the entire cabinet at least, if not the parliament — to resign, and there will be a new government announced tomorrow. He also spoke at length about his government’s efforts in stabilizing the country and in making economic reforms. He said that he cannot allow for the country to fall into insecurity and instability. He also announced that he knows the issues that the Egyptian people are suffering from, and that he and his government had worked tirelessly to alleviate the people’s poor conditions.
He announced that the protests were a result of the freedoms — mainly freedom of expression and freedom of assembly — that were granted and guaranteed by his government. He warned the country to look at the instability caused by similar protests in countries around Egypt, and how the people there ended up not having the democracy that they protested so hard for.
But throughout the speech, President Mubarak sounded like a man who looked like he was unable to control the people. There were no harsh warnings of use of force against protesters. Effectively, his act of asking the government to resign was presented by him as a desperate means to appease the protesters.
There are no reactions as of yet from the opposition leaders or protesters.
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UPDATE (5:20p EST): Mubarak now speaking.
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UPDATE (4:59p EST): There is a strong likelihood, being discussed right now, that President Hosni Mubarak may have already left the country. He was due to appear on TV, which had been announced hours ago, yet no word came of that. Instead, the parliament speaker, who is first in line to succeed the president, appeared on TV and said there will be an announcement shortly. Speculation is that if Mubarak were in the country, the speaker Ahmad Fathi Sorour wouldn’t have had to make the announcement and Mubarak would have appeared on TV himself. While the opposition claims the president’s wife, son, and a grandchild left the country for Europe two days ago, the government denies this.
So far, the Army, which was mobilized by the government a few hours ago, has not directly stepped in to stop the protests. This is good news for protesters who have beaten back the riot police and other security forces for the most part, and are in virtually uncontested control of major parts of Cairo and other cities. The Army is simply securing important government buildings and broadcasting facilities in Cairo and other cities.
Protesters remain on the streets and the chaos continues as the world awaits word from the Egyptian government.
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UPDATE (4:35p EST): Egyptian Parliament Speaker Ahmad Fathi Sorour appeared on state TV and said: “An important matter will be announced shortly.” No further details.
Protests continue. On the other side of the world, reports suggest that in Caracas, Venezuela, a group of protesting Arabs and Egyptians have entered and taken over the Egyptian embassy there.
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UPDATE (4:11p EST): Protesters also remain out on the streets in Suez, and several buildings are on fire there as well. Al Jazeera now confirms 11 dead, 150 injured and 20 critically injured in that city. That brings the total number of deaths that can be confirmed for today to 12. Sources are claiming as many as 1,000 people have been arrested all over the country, but there is no way to confirm that number.
UPDATE (3:45p EST): There is absolute chaos. Some are claiming the death toll in Suez is as high as almost a dozen, and over a hundred injured. The death toll in Cairo still stands at 1, but that number might rise as night falls.
Confusion has taken over reporting from Cairo and other cities in Egypt. Because the situation is so tense, reporters are having trouble confirming reports that are being relayed to them, and even confirming events that they are witnessing right in front of them.
While most reporters claim the army entered the cities, some claim it was actually the Presidential Guard, which is separate from the Army and numbers over 20,000.
What looks certain is that Cairo is witnessing gunfire, explosions, and fires, and reports of casualties and arrests are mounting.
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UPDATE: The Foreign Affairs Ministry is on fire, according to Al Jazeera.
The Army Chief of Staff is returning home from DC, cutting short his trip.
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UPDATE: Al Jazeera just now claimed at least 5 have died in Suez.
Hundreds have been injured and the hospitals across the country are overwhelmed by the number of wounded protesters brought in. Clashes continue in several cities. Opposition leader Ayman Nour has been injured in the protests and is now in the hospital. The U.S. State Department just released a travel warning for Egypt.
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UPDATE: The National Democratic Party’s headquarters in Cairo has been destroyed by fire after being looted by protesters.
Egypt Air has suspended all flights for the next 12 hours.
The northern Sinai peninsula has lost electricity.
In the meantime, tanks have entered Alexandria and the army is exerting control over Suez. Downtown Cairo is in chaos right now, with fires in many different buildings.
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As much as I prefer people to live free, I’m not sure the spreading Arab revolution promises anything good for Americans.
If I lived in Israel, I’d real scared but, thankfully, the Israelis are used to dealing with Muslims of all sorts.
This is getting real interesting.
Where is Hillary? The phone call at 3am came.
This all started about a week ago with a Egyptian Coptic (Christian) uprising, because they are sick of being murdered by Islamists. Egypt is about 10% Christian and before Islam it was nearly 100% Christian. There are Muslims standing with Christians—-and then there is the Muslim Brotherhood which seeks to exploit this situation. According to Nonie Darwish (Egyptian born American anti-jihad activist), people in Egypt are ignorant and only know what they’re told. The Islamists are terrified of authentic history.
The hope for Egypt and other “Islamic” countries is that they remember their true history.
This historic interview on Israel National Radio shines light on the Pre-Abrahamic history of the “Middle-East” and exposes Islam for the reconstituted blood-thirst cult of Baal worship under the guise of a pseudo-monotheistic “religion” that it is.
http://www.marcrubin.com/judean-eve.ivnu
She is the one calling.
Guess what? The word on the street here is – if the Arabs start biting the hand that literally feeds/protects them, they will be in for a rude awakening.
The majority Jewish Zionist public is sick of their outbursts, threatening uprisings when they don’t get their way.
Follow events in Judea and Samaria to know what is coming their way if they start up.Hint:a group of Jewish hikers in our heartland were attacked by rock throwing Arabs this week.One of the terror wielding Arabs is NOT in a position to throw rocks anymore.Another Arab also got his comeuppance when he confronted the wrong Zionist-the tough kind.
Postulate where this is going, it is NOT in their interest to mess with fed up Jewish Zionists.
Yeah, if I were you I’d be fed up with being crapped on by everyone, everywhere too.
What’s happening now is what the Muslim Brotherhood has been hoping for in the last few decades.
Exactly!
Make no mistake about it: this is going to become Obama’s Iran.
Islamist fundamentalism is on the attack along the Mediterranean Coast of Africa. Albania and Kossovo are also boiling.
We can still burry our heads in the sand and pretend we see/hear nothing.
Yes, Mubarak was a dictator, but he kept the “Brotherhood” in check, and peace with Israel.
We are about to lose Africa to radical islam, as we lost Latin America to communism and marxist dictators. We’re handing in one dictator the power of another. Meantime, at the end, it’s us who pay the price of that transaction.
With “protestors” lighting fires all over, its a sure bet that the Cairo slums will be an inferno before dawn. Bad news all around.
This is just the first step in China’s plan for world domination.
Sounds far fetched? Put your thinking cap on.
Delta and Air France have cancelled all services as of tommorrow noon local time. (Just Announced: CNN)
This is not good.
A popular revolution means another radical Islamic state on permanent Jihad.
We are soon going to have radical Islamic states from the Aegean clockwise around to Gibraltar, except for Israel, They will control the Suez Canal and be able to close the Straits of Gibraltar in a crisis.
What next? Pirates in the Mediterranean? Intifada in the capitols of Europe? Mumbai style raids on the Riviera?
Meanwhile back at the ranch, Beloved Leader is focused on windmills and fast trains.
So, when the new Egyptian government withdraws from the Camp David peace accords, will Jimmy–the goober–Carter have to return his Noble Peace prize? I presume Obama’s prize is exempt from recall, since it was a token predicated on a hope and dream.
Scary stuff…
Although I despise 30 year dictators, I was in high school when Sadat was killed, and know that Muslims can never live in peace with their neighbors….we can hope this is some kind of overall, popular, “quality of life” driven revolt, but once I hear “The Muslim Brotherhood” is getting involved, its going to be like Hamas taking Gaza….
Frying pan?
Say hello to the fire
No matter how you stack it, this is a bad situation. Having the muslim brotherhood in charge of the suez canal spells really high oil prices. Especially for Europe.
And with a free run through Egypt to Gaza, Iran (through HAMAS) will be attacking Israel before you can say oh shit.
This is not going to end well for the world.
The Sinai is a bunch of miles of nothing. The Egyptian military is more interested in controlling the canal and the Nile, where people live, than crossing the desert to get shot up near Israel.
You are correct. This is why the Samson Option is alive and well, surely making the rounds to world leaders-even the Islamic variety-as we converse.
IF heaven forbid we go down, ALL of them will too.At least this time we won’t be the only sacrificial lamb.
Prayers certainly help.
The Sampson option probably isn’t even necessary. Leave the weapons where they will be found by the rioting masses. Soon enough, they’ll find reason to use them on each other.
These people have lived through two world wars almost unscathed. They do not have a cultural memory of what REAL strategic warfare is like. They would use these weapons on each other as casually as one would use an AK-47.
May they learn before it comes to this…
Al-Jazeera in Cairo is reporting that youths are forming a human shield to protect the National Museum of Antiquities from looting. Live feed show military and crowds getting along so far.
Beautiful, if true.
That’s true. I actually reported on that elsewhere.
The Muslim Brotherhood created terrorism starting in 1928. All it wants is the complete Islamic rule under an Islamic state governed by solely Sharia law. The short version is they are anti-secular, anti-Semitic, anti-democratic and anti-Western. They originated such wonders as suicide bombers and that religion of peace thingy, called jihad, that included 911. They’re called “non-violent” in Egypt only because the Egyptian government brutal suppressed it after a series of murders. Since then, it’s promoted non-violence only where the Brotherhood faced extinction. Google and research a bit. They’re every bit as bad as those imans in Saudi and the loonies in Iran.
Make no mistake, there is no such thing as a revolt ending in democracy in any nation overwhelmingly Islamic. Never has been, never will be. Even Turkey has fallen.
What is happening in Egypt is very clear to those who know the region.
Islamists are ALL offshoots of the deadly Muslim Brotherhood,(AKA the Muslim Mafia)in one incarnation or another.The names vary, but the ideology is all the same.They look for openings via instability-often initiated at their behest-and then pounce.
With Tunisia in upheaval, Egypt followed suit, as did others.While many on the Arab street are indeed pushing for economic reforms, western democratic constructs are NOT are not on their agenda.Our leaders need to get this through their thick heads.
To make things crystal clear, compare events in Iran in 1979 which led to the Islamic revolution, to what is sweeping the Arab world today.
Student reform leaders in 1979 did initiate the protests, though Islamic revolutionaries soon took charge, ready to pounce. And pounce they did.
While the Shah, not unlike Mubarak, ruled with an iron fist, Iran grew exponentially more unstable, more lethal(on a worldwide stage)when the Shah was ousted.So too will events grow very grave indeed(for the entire west and for the region)if the Muslim Brotherhood takes over Egypt.El Baradei is a front man for the Brotherhood, an Islamist pure and simple.Under his watch at the IAEA Iran grew into a major menace, and for his efforts received the Peace Prize, not unlike Arafat and many other western foes.He continually states that the Muslim Brotherhood is non violent, and that Iran is not to be feared.IF only.
In effect, people should not be swept away by the notion of democratic reforms in the Arab world.Their notion of democracy is NOT akin to ours.
Hamas came into power via ‘democratic’ elections, and we all know how that turned out!!
Thanks to Bush and Rice Hamas gained power,having utterly failed to ‘read’ the region correctly, and by insisting that elections-without proper democratic underpinnings-would usher in western norms.
Amazingly, pajamasmedia somewhat called this back in 2009!
http://pajamasmedia.com/blog/will-egypt-go-the-way-of-iran/
Terrorism began long before 1928. Most Muslims want to be left alone. The security police should be taking down the Islamic Brotherhood suspects as we speak.
The Lebanon revolution ended in democracy, but the corrupt Hezbollah non revolt is ending democracy- until the next revolt.
The Muslim Brotherhood declared war on the United States in September. Move along nothing to see here.
Remember this?
2010
Now this!
“Down with Mubarak!”
(internet and cell phone repression helped destroy this government)
My hope is that Hosni Sayyid Mubarak makes a speech saying he expects the president of the United States to let the protesters go without repercussions.
Mubarak would make a better president than the one we have now. He’s got balls; And not golf balls, for those readers of other ethnicities. And, he’s more qualified.
Flights have been suspended. That means our embassy people cannot get out. Obama did not act immediately. Will our embassy get occupied, like with the Iranian revolution? Will we fight back this time? Could Obama really become Carter 2.0? The ironic parallel would be just unbelievable.
It is 3AM. The phone has rung. Obama is in charge. I am not filled with confidence.
Elections have consequences.
Lotsa luck with that; ObamaMao has the best credit card in the world, and he’s going to max it out like you’ve never seen before.
Obama is waiting to meet with his cousin Mubarrack to bow to him in the name of the American people.
“Our leaders need to get this through their thick heads.”
Sorry, won’t happen.
Mr. Obama and the Progressives believe that the people of Egypt and the Middle East have the right to form the government/boot that they want to live under.
Once they accomplish this feat then the U.S. with hand out-strechted will come forward, welcome them into the new world order and assist them in the development of their diverse and unique cultures. Obama believes, as I understand, that once their cultures are truly free to choose and bereft of dictators only then can they come to terms with ‘Who they are”, what their culture represents and what freedom and justice means to them and their mullahs.
And that’s the way it is, make no mistake about it.
As noted on another post….Obama, Hillary, The Progressives are the people historically who back us into a war. Chamberlain redux.
Islam is on the march, make no mistake. I don’t claim to have the answer, but feel good-just give peace a chance oberving probably isn’t going to work very well, in fact it usually gets a lot more people killed in the end. Hey whatever, Good Luck though, hope it works out well.
Well, in Tunisia the Muslim Brotherhood do not have strong base. And really, majority of people wanted just to get rid of the “permanent president”. Muslim Brotherhood may get into power over there but I have some doubts about that.
It is different in Egypt. Muslim Brotherhood is quite strong in Egypt and even though the demonstrations are about prices and jobs and about getting rid of Mubarak, I am pretty sure that if Mubarak goes Muslim Brotherhood will takeover the power. And that is no good for US and the West. No good at all. It also won’t be good for Copts in Egypt.
Frankly I do understand people of Egypt but demonstrators only want change and, I think, have no idea how to realize their wishes. On the other hand Muslim Brotherhood people know how to realize their wishes. It is like Iran in 1979 – people there wanted change and what they got was Islamic Republic. And like in Iran the (possible)new government will blame all Egypt ills on US and the West. IMHO
Whatever US will do now, the situation in Egypt is “loss loss” for US & the West and “win win” for Muslim Brotherhood.
I have an Egyptian customer and he is Christian and he said that 20% are Jewish and 20% Christian with the majority being Muslim. He left Egypt when he was 18 after he was conscripted in to the army to guard the border to the Gaza Strip. He said that the Palistinians also thought of the Egyptian soldiers as the enemy and he manned his post in fear. I have not talked with him over what is happening now but he said back years ago that Murbarak and Sadak were both good leaders and everyone lived in peace. I wonder what he has to say now and what he thinks of our president jaundice view of the world?
Does anyone know what kind of government egypt has? Is it a typical parlimentary system with mubarak as president in addition to a prime minister and cabinet? If so changing the government isn’t going to address protesters demands. They need a plan to rescind the state of emergency, end government corruption, promote economic development by fostering free markets and entrepreneurship. Simply picking a new set of puppets for mubarak to control doesn’t sound like it is going to satisfy the protesters.
How odd – if these riots, with Cairo in flames, will force the government to rescind the state of emergency.
My comment is about the US Administration. They seem to either have no idea what to do about this situation or are supporting ‘democracy’ blindly, believing that the people know best. Good luck with that when it comes to the Arab world.
Agree with Adina, Israel will not be messed with in this situation; or, it will be and the restraints will be off. Now it is existential.
Right you are. That’s what happens when you put incompetent, recalcitrant, juveniles in positions of responsibility.
Like I keep saying; “We look like a nation of fools”.
And Obama is the Prince of Fools.
Might consider adding a date/time stamp to the updates.
It’s time to get rid of the damn corruption. The Egyptian people have taken too much crap
for years.
When Mubarak in power, the US doesn’t care about the democracy in Egypt as long as Mubarak is our good friend; but now Mubarak is at the edge of his power, the US shouting about democracy, the voice of the people. HYPOCRITE ….