(Live Thread) Egypt: American Killed During Violent Clashes (Egypt about to blow up)

CBS News ^ | Friday, June 28, 2013

[kristinn]

Egyptian security and medical officials say an American has been killed in the Mediterranean coastal city of Alexandria during clashes between supporters and opponents of Egypt's embattled President Mohammed Morsi.

Alexandria security chief Gen. Amin Ezz Eddin told Al-Jazeera TV that an American was killed Friday in Sidi Gabr Square while photographing the battles between opposition youth and members of the Muslim Brotherhood, from which Morsi hails.

A medical official told The Associated Press the American was wounded by gunshots and died at the hospital.

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Six Egyptians have been killed in days of clashes ahead of nationwide protests Sunday demanding Morsi's removal.

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The State Department said Friday that Americans should defer nonessential travel to Egypt, citing the uncertain security situation. It also said it would allow nonessential staff and the families of personnel at the U.S. Embassy in Cairo to leave Egypt until conditions improve.

[kristinn]

The U.S. Embassy in Cairo announced yesterday they will be closed this Sunday and Monday in anticipation of violence.

More from the AP:

Tens of thousands of supporters and opponents of President Mohammed Morsi rallied Friday in Cairo, and both sides fought each other in the second-largest city of Alexandria, where two people were killed — including an American — and 85 were injured, officials said.

The competing camps were trying to show their strength before even bigger nationwide protests planned by the opposition Sunday — the first anniversary of Morsi's inauguration — aimed at forcing his removal.

The opposition says it will bring millions into the streets across Egypt, and more violence is feared.

The Cairo International Airport was flooded with departing passengers, an exodus that officials said was unprecedented. All flights departing Friday to Europe, the U.S. and the Gulf were fully booked, they said.

Many of those leaving were families of Egyptian officials and businessmen and those of foreign and Arab League diplomats — as well as many Egyptian Christians, the officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to the press.

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Photos from Tahrir Square, Cairo, Egypt by Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reporter Betsy Hiel, Friday, June 28, 2013 via Twitter.

Ahram.org: UPDATED: Muslim Brotherhood, FJP offices attacked throughout EgyptOffices of the Muslim Brotherhood’s Freedom and Justice Party (FJP) in different Egyptian governorates were reportedly raided and torched on Friday.

In the Nile Delta governorate of Daqahliya, the FJP's office was set on fire by protesters after the latter claimed to have heard shotguns being discharged from the building, eyewitnesses told Al-Ahram's Arabic-language news website.

The office remains besieged by thousands of protesters.

Eyewitnesses also told Al-Ahram that the number of injured were estimated at ten, including four who had since been transferred to hospital.

The Muslim Brotherhood, for its part, released a statement holding members of the anti-Morsi 'Rebel' campaign responsible for the violence.

Meanwhile, in Alexandria, which has seen clashes between the two rival camps since Friday afternoon, the FJP's office in the coastal city's Sidi Gaber district was set on fire.

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[Oldexpat]

Time to roll out their M-1 tanks and F-16’s to clear the streets.

[umgud]

Why would any American be in Egypt unless they had to? Was this American an infidel or a muslim?

Egypt is almost as dangerous as Mexico.

[Zhang Fei]

RIP, but I have to ask - what was he thinking?

Alexandria security chief Gen. Amin Ezz Eddin told Al-Jazeera TV that an American was killed Friday in Sidi Gabr Square while photographing the battles between opposition youth and members of the Muslim Brotherhood, from which Morsi hails. A medical official told The Associated Press the American was wounded by gunshots and died at the hospital.

[LibsRJerks]

But ..but, it’s Arab SPRINGtime ...birds are chirping, buds are blossoming .. .Democracy is beginning anew? Isn’t it?

[DanielRedfoot]

Its gonna be a long hot summer...

[Paladin2]

Egypt has been begging to get itself straightened out.

[Paladin2]

Morsi is not really different from Zer0.

[ought-six]

I thought this was what The Obastard wanted. Wasn’t all this part of the plan?

[Monkey Face]

Whom, pray, tell, is surprised by this? Zero is the hemorroid on the butt of the world, and chaos will be his legacy, no matter where he is.

The world does not want him, does not need him, and those who are the weak, power-hungry rapists need him to validate their agendas of killing.

[funfan]

What difference does it make? It was most likely just a white ass cracka anyway.

[kristinn]

Cross linking article: CNN - Marines on standby to for Egypt

[sharpee]

I was there in November 2012. The Egyptians I talked to were nor realistic about the situation. Most of them had kids 9 to 13. They wanted to educate their kids and 2 out of 3 hated the brotherhood. They have three problems bread, fuel and trafic, Now they have the islamists. Their balance of payment is getting even worse then it was then and for a country that imports food it is nota good situation. I feel really bad for the people.

I wanted to see the sites before the country collapse.

Very sad

[Biggirl]

WELCOME to the long, hot, Islamofacism summer.

[Biggirl]

I was happy when my oldest grandnice one year before the start of the Arab spring was able to go to Egypt via the university she attends in MA. Sadly I will never see that country in my lifetime.

Looks like it will end in a civil war.

[umgud]

My comment is that the unrest is too great for Americans to be there.

[buwaya]

War correspondent getting in on the early action.

[sharpee]

Sadly I agree.

My kids who travel all over the world felt Egypt was a better place than some of the major European cities. It proved to be a correct assessment. Although the rest of the family objected to the trip. It was fine at that time.

I am glad I went when I did. I fear it will collapse into a failed state. Very sad.

[MadMax, the Grinning Reaper]

Guess they will have to change the words of an old song “See the pyramids along the Nile” to “see Egypt burn along the Nile”.

The most important question is whether the military will intervene and against who (i.e. if they take sides). Or, will they collapse like the Shah of Iran’s military did (and allowed Khomeini to return and seize power, leading to what we have today).

“I see a bad moon arisin’, I feel trouble’s on the way”.

[Veto!]

Until recently, people traveled to Egypt to see the Sphinx and other archeological delights. It was a popular destination. Now, would anyone in the world be crazy enough to visit that country?

The unrest must be costing them megamillions. They can ill afford to get even poorer than before. So why don’t these people stop the sectarian stuff? Sunni, Shia? Why would those differences be more important than feeding your kids and letting them grow up in peace?

Apparently they’re all nuts.