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Thousands fill Cairo's Tahrir Square once again
By Catholic Online (NEWS CONSORTIUM)
November 22nd, 2011
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)
November 22nd, 2011
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)
Earlier this year, thousands of Egyptian flooded Cairo's Tahrir Square to demand an end to the iron-fisted regime of President Hosni Mubarak. Thousands have returned to the square long after Mubarak's departure to demand that the Egyptian military hand over the reins of the nation to a civilian government.
Television footage has shown demonstrators waving huge Egyptian flags and chanting slogans.
Some protesters carried a coffin that is said to contain the body of a demonstrator killed in an earlier rally. At least 29 people have died in protests over the past four days during clashes between authorities and demonstrators.
The demonstrations are the largest to take place in Egypt since anti-government protests forced Mubarak to resign in February. Parliamentary elections are set to begin on November 28.
In a bid to end days of deadly clashes between security forces and protesters, the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces asked political parties to join emergency talks.
Egypt's largest Islamist group, the Muslim Brotherhood, and four other parties were expected to attend the deliberations. There are no indications that youth groups fueling the protests would be participating.
In an apparent concession to demonstrators, the military council issued a law that bans anyone convicted of corruption from running for office or holding a government position, which could restrict members of Mubarak's former ruling party from competing in upcoming elections.
It is hoped that the new Egypt does not repeat the mistakes of the past. Amnesty International accused Egypt's rulers of brutality sometimes exceeding that of Mubarak.
In related news, attempts by the U.S. to reposition itself as a supporter of democracy and human rights in the Middle East is being undermined by a growing Egyptian perception that Washington will back Egypt's military junta unreservedly, despite its increasing repressiveness.
That perception was reinforced yesterday, when a White House statement on the clashes between protesters and security forces appeared to place the blame equally on both sides for violence that has killed dozens.
White House spokesman Jay Carney said the US was "deeply concerned" about the violence and "tragic loss of life" and called for "restraint on all sides, so that Egyptians can move forward together to forge a strong and united Egypt."
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