Egypt Update: Mubarek to Leave?
Despite the official rhetoric of western governments, Mubarek’s immediate exit plan is under discussion in Cairo and Washington.
Anti Mubarek demonstrators get back their momentum on Friday after the Wednesday attack by “pro Mubarek demonstrators.” Most are anticipating that this will be “Day of Departure” to Mubarek. The square remained packed with protesters chanting slogans calling for Mubarek to leave. Tension is rising in Egypt.
Despite the official rhetoric of western governments, Mubarek’s immediate exit plan is under discussion in Cairo and Washington, New York Times reported.
The Guardian confirmed the report; “The White House, the state department and the Pentagon have been involved in discussions that include an option in which Mubarak would given way to a transitional government headed by the Egyptian vice-president, Omar Suleiman.” Check also here.
EU and its member states remained confused on the message and the choice regarding Egypt. “Comments emerging from a summit meeting of European Unionleaders reflected the dilemma confronted by nations, hesitating between a desire to promote democracy in the Middle East and a fear that Mr. Mubarak’s government could be replaced by a leadership more hostile to western interests.”
Mubarek who “looked tired but well” told Christian Amanpour that he is tired and want to leave office. “He greeted me warmly, and we started to talk. He looked tired, but well. …He told me he felt strong and that he was relieved he had made his decision and that speech on Monday to step down. I asked him afterward whether I could report our conversation. He said yes.” Amanpour wrote.
Anti Mubarek demonstrators get back their momentum on Friday after the Wednesday attack by “pro Mubarek demonstrators.” Most are anticipating that this will be “Day of Departure” to Mubarek. The square remained packed with protesters chanting slogans denouncing Mubarek.
Tahrir Square on Friday (Photo: Al Jazeera)
Famous Egyptian artists and musicians are joining demonstrators at the Tahrir Square on Friday, Aljazeera reported on Friday afternoon. Sporadic clashes between pro and anti Mubarek demonstrators continue. The Egyptian army is taking key positions to prevent possible clashes in Cairo. The state TV reported early in the afternoon that 3,000 supporter and protesters were in the square side by side.
Online “Hacktivist” attacked Egypt’s ruling party and Yemin’s president Abdullah Saleh’s websites.
The cautious Jerusalem Post wrote “What comes next is not yet certain. But it may be said with confidence that there are currently two serious, organized political forces in Egypt. These are the leadership of the armed forces, and the Islamists of the Muslim Brotherhood. The political process now opening up will be a veiled or open contest for domination between these forces.”
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader has called the uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia an “Islamic liberation movement”. He urged Egyptians “to follow in the footsteps of the Iranian revolution which toppled a pro-US leader and installed an Islamic Republic, calling on Egyptians to unite around religion.”
The effect of the Egyptian movement is echoing in the region. Check for Yemen here and here; Algeria here and here.
“The White House, the state department and the Pentagon have been involved in discussions that include an option in which Mubarak would given way to a transitional government…” I got so angry when I read this. The United States should have absolutely no say in anything to do with the government in Egypt. How dare they! Obama’s speech to the Egyptian people the other day was a joke. The law enforcement goons in the States treat peaceful demonstrators the same way in their own country. Check out this video for proof!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDoNgdlEqK8&feature=player_embedded#
With all due respect the U.S should have a lot to say about Egypt, at least as long as Egypt continues to accept 1.3 billion dollars a year in military aid. If Egyptians don’t want interference then it’s time for them to stop accepting the mighty dollar. Essentially that is why the U.S gives them money. It is like lobbying a government. Those who dish out the most dollars get the most room to put their interests forward. What the U.S does with Egypt is basically an international form of lobbying.
It is so fascinating that the West have so much say in the political issues of African countries. It is equally suprising that the world has taken for granted that USA’s and even Israel’s stand is important in deciding the fate of Mubarak despite the determination and sacrifice of the Egyptian people. It has become crystal clear that Africa is totaly under neocolonialists. The most heartbreaking thing about the current uprising in Egypt is that the people’s anger, voice, and sacrifice which has been made in the past two weeks haven’t weighed enough in the eyes of the international public. What mattered most in the Western media was whether the muslim forces will come to power or how to outmanouver non-Western-afflliated groups so that they will not assume the political power.
Stop accepting the mighty dollar if you want to be liberated from western colonialism of neo-colonialism. If you take the money then you got to give what they are paying for, which is control. As African nations are considerably poor, it hard to turn this money down so in return the west does what it wants to do the most, which is get involved in the internal politics of the recipient nation.