Saturday, November 24, 2012

Crisis over president's powers exposes Egypt divisions


Youths clashed with police in Cairo on Saturday as protests at new powers assumed by President Mohamed Mursi stretched into a second day, confronting Egypt with a crisis that has exposed the split between newly empowered Islamists and their opponents.

A handful of hardcore activists hurling rocks battled riot police in the streets near Tahrir Square, where several thousand protesters massed on Friday to demonstrate against a decree that has rallied opposition ranks against Mursi.

Following a day of violence in Cairo, Alexandria, Port Said and Suez, the smell of teargas hung over the square, the heart of the uprising that swept Hosni Mubarak from power in February 2011.

More than 300 people were injured on Friday. Offices of the Muslim Brotherhood, which propelled Mursi to power, were attacked in at least three cities.

Egypt's highest judicial authority said the decree marked an "unprecedented attack" on the independence of the judiciary, the state news agency reported. Read more

Read also:
US Concerned About Power Grab by Egypt's Islamist President
Protestors Torch Offices in Egypt After President Morsi Issues Himself Unlimited Powers
Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi's arrogation of sweeping new powers to himself is not surprising in light of the lessons of history and the Muslim Brotherhood's aspirations to establish an Islamic state.

No comments: