Posted on 01/25/2011 10:54:06 PM PST by bruinbirdman
Thousands of demonstrators calling for a Tunisian-style revolution in Egypt brought the centre of Cairo to a halt last night after a "day of wrath".
The anti-government protesters demanded President Hosni Mubarak to stand down as they descended on Tahrir Square in the city centre, clashing with police who fired plastic bullets, tear gas and water cannons to prevent them marching on parliament.
"Mubarak – Saudi Arabia is waiting for you," they chanted, a reference to the former Tunisian president Zine al-Abedine Ben Ali, who flew to the Saudi city of Jeddah in the face of anti-government protests 12 days ago.
The protest was the largest seen in Cairo for years, if not decades. Mr Mubarak, 82, has been in power for 30 years, even longer than Mr Ben Ali, who was ousted after an authoritarian 23-year rule.
He has not ruled out standing for re-election again this year, or passing on power to his son, Gamal.
There were also protests in Alexandria and Suez, where two people were killed.
Police normally stamp down quickly on dissent, but reacted calmly at first. "We are all Egyptians," said one senior officer.
But as protesters started hurling stones and stormed through barricades, police moved aggressively to contain them.
Many of those who took to the streets said they were first-time demonstrators, encouraged by the revolution in Tunis. "We should make a stand like men for once," said Akram Suleiman, 28, a lawyer.
Banners proclaimed: "Tunisia is the solution" while other chants included "Mubarak – take Suzanne and get out". Suzanne Mubarak is Mr Mubarak's wife.
A revolution in Egypt would be regarded with far greater concern by its
(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...
The Mubarak dictatorship has the support of the army and the elite and the elder Mubarak may move up his plans to install his son as his successor in the face of the unrest.
If you think a democratic government will be installed think again. The radicals are in control of the Arab Street. they will install their person with their ideas.
All the Arab dictatorships are monarchies. Even the so called republican regimes are basically monarchies in modern trappings.
This is different. The people on the street(who are protesting) support Iran and Osama Bin Laden. What is stopping them from installing a radical Islamist.
The army. The regime won’t hesitate to massacre its opponents if its hold on power is threatened.
Nothing.......Barack Hussein Obama, the 12th imam, is probably egging them on.
hooboy...what a mess and Obama at the helm.
http://www.moviesoundscentral.com/wavs/braveheart/Brave14.wav
Look what the army did to Sadat in 1980.They assasinated him.
Guess who was behind the Sadat assasination other than the army?Ayman Muhammad Rabaie al-Zawahiri. We know him as the right hand man of Osama Bin Laden.
One hiccup, and Egypt turns into another radical Islamic state. It may be true that the military right now, today, supports Mubarak. But the history of this type of civil unrest leans large towards the army shifting allegiance.
I think we end up with another festering sore over there. It is not our business, per se. But it surely will be a huge problem we’ll inevitably have to deal with.
I’d give it ten years or in between. Gamal Mubarak is an unknown and untested quantity. The transfer of power from father to son may or may not go smoothly and its not all certain Gamal can demonstrate the toughness required to rule the country as his father Hosni did.
Must be those white sheets they wear...
I just view this as an “over-centering” event. In the sense that, if *a* Mubarak can remain in charge, things will likely remain static. I view that as the smallest possibility. Somewhat more likely, IMO, is the accession of some army general who will tyrranize the populace, and drive it into the arms of radical Muslims. That would be the South American/Iranian model. We have to remember that there are powerful interests surrounding Egypt that will work to destabilize virtually anything that might find itself in power, in favor of radical Islamists.
One word.
Aswan
this is not good. Even though Mubarak is a dictator, or perhaps because of it, he has destroyed any viable opposition and only the Muslim Brotherhood (founding organization of AlQ) remain. They will come to power if Mubarak is overthrown.
Yes, this is quite different from Tunisia. Tunisia was a more liberal country, no radicalisation and the movement to oust the President was led by people demanding jobs, by union leaders, not by Islamists.
This ‘revolution’ will spread because most of the countries are dictatorships or monarchies.The only two countries that will be immune will be Syria and Iran. Islamists that replace those dictatorships and monarchies
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.