Egypt's military rejects the demands of pro-democracy protesters. It intends to rule by martial law

[Better Believe It]

Egypt's military rejects swift transfer of power and suspends constitution
Ruling military council intends to retain power for six months or longer while elections are scheduled and will rule by decree
By Chris McGreal in Cairo
February 13, 2011

The Egyptian military has rejected the demands of pro-democracy protesters for a swift transfer of power to a civilian administration, saying it intends to rule by martial law until elections are held.

The army's announcement, which included the suspending of the constitution, was a further rebuff to some pro-democracy activists after troops were sent to clear demonstrators from Cairo's Tahrir Square, the centre of the protests that brought down Hosni Mubarak. "We do not want any protesters to sit in the square after today," said the head of the military police, Mohamed Ibrahim Moustafa Ali. Many agreed to leave but a hardcore refused, saying they would remain until the army took a series of steps toward democratic reform including installing a civilian-led government and abolishing the repressive state of emergency.

In a sign that the army will only tolerate a limited challenge to its power, it is expected to issue a communique on Monday saying that it will crack down on those creating "chaos and disorder" as well as effectively banning strikes.

"We need heavy participation by the civilians," said Mohamed ElBaradei, the former nuclear inspector who has become an opposition spokesman. "It cannot be the army running the show." Mahmoud Nassar, one of the organisers behind the Tahrir Square protests, said the demonstrations would go on. "The revolution is continuing. Its demands have not been met yet," he said. "The sit-in and protests are in constant activity until the demands are met. All are invited to join."

Read the full article at:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/feb/13/egypt-military-rejects-swift-power-handover

[aquart]

1. Yah, this was always the possible fly in the ointment.

[GSLevel9]

2. and who is surprised?

Anyone who thought that the new gov't would look like a typical EU country... is a FOOL.

[EFerrari]

7. There is no new government yet. n/t

[Brickbat]

3. Now comes the hard work.

[Better Believe It]

4. Egypt Government Spokesman: "The main task of this government is to restore security and order"

Egypt's military rulers dissolve parliament
Leaders also suspend constitution; protesters holding firm in Tahrir Square
msnbc.com staff and news service reports
February 13, 2011

Egypt's cabinet, appointed when the 82-year-old president was still in office, would not undergo a major reshuffle and would stay to oversee the political transition to civilian rule in the coming months, a cabinet spokesman told Reuters. "The main task of this government is to restore security and order and also start the economic process, and to take care of day-to-day life," he said.

With Mubarak gone, Egypt's future will likely be shaped by three powers: the military, the protesters, and the sprawling autocratic infrastructure of Mubarak's regime that remains in place, dominating the bureaucracy, the police, state media and parts of the economy. Right now, the protesters' intentions are the clearest of the bunch.

The coalition behind the protests issued their first cohesive list of demands for handling the transition to democracy. Their focus was on ensuring they — not just the military or members of Mubarak's regime — have a seat at the table in deliberations shaping the future.

Among their demands: lifting of emergency law; creation of a presidential council, made up of a military representative and two "trusted personalities"; the dissolving of the ruling party-dominated parliament; and the forming of a broad-based unity government and a committee to either amend or rewrite completely the constitution. The council of generals has said nothing so far about how the transition will be carried out or addressed the protesters' demands.

Read the full article at:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/41558249/ns/world_news-mide...

[dixiegrrrrl]

5. Sorta like here. We got rid of Bush, but his people stayed on to run the government.

deeply seeded, as planned.

[ironrooster]

6. that's about all they can do under these circumstances

because an election must be held for any gov't to be considered valid. you can't just whip up a new government
like that - voila! - new rules!

[EFerrari]

8. There is no requirement that the transitional government exclude civilians

or that the military clamp down on protests.

[Better Believe It]

10. The military has the power and ability to immediately implement many of the protesters demands long

before an election for President and parliament.

Read the protestors very clear democratic demands such as an end to the emergency law which permits arrests without charges or warrants, the release of all political prisoners and the right of workers to organize labor organizations.

[Starry Messenger]

9. It ain't over yet.

Getting rid of Mubarak was just step one. The ruling class power structure is still in place.

[Better Believe It]

11. Military fell short of meeting two important opposition demands.

India's National Newspaper


Egypt's army suspends constitution, sets 6-month timeline for elections
By Atul Aneja
February 14, 2011

.... several pro-democracy figures, including Mohamed ElBaradei, the former International Atomic Energy Agency chief, have also demanded abolishment of the existing constitution and its replacement with a fresh document that better reflects the country's democratic aspirations. But instead of calling for a new constitution, the military statement on Sunday said a committee was being appointed that would amend the constitution, and then work out the rules to seek their approval directly through a popular referendum.

Responding to the military communiqué, opposition leader Ayman Nour called for the formation and involvement of a judicial panel that would help draft a temporary constitution for running the country, and a second committee to draft a new permanent constitution.

Analysts pointed out that the military, in its announcement on Sunday, fell short of meeting two other equally important opposition demands. First, it has avoided any reference to the opposition's demand for the formation of an interim government that should include a significant civilian component of opposition figures for steering Egypt's democratic transition. The statement said the caretaker Cabinet, which was appointed by Hosni Mubarak, who was President at that time, in the wake of the pro-democracy protests, would be in charge.

In the pro-democracy camp, some tensions have appeared between those who want the agitation to be kept on standby, and others who are demanding its continuation until all the major demands are met. A group called the Coalition of the Youth of the Revolution, which includes members of the April 6 Youth Movement, the Muslim Brotherhood Youth and Mr. ElBaradei's young supporters, said it now wanted to get engaged in negotiations with the military. The group said it had nominated Ahmed Zewail, a Nobel laureate in chemistry, and other prominent figures as their representatives for the talks with the military top brass. But the coalition's spokeswoman, Gehan Shaaban, expressing reservations about the military's real intentions, said: “We shouldn't trust the army… We should trust ourselves, the people of Egypt.”

Read the full article at:

http://www.hindu.com/2011/02/14/stories/2011021458690100.htm