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Subscribe to RSSThousands of anti-government protesters gathered in Tahrir Square to mark the 2011 uprising that led to Egypt's change in power. NBCNews.com's Dara Brown reports.
Five people were shot dead in the Egyptian city of Suez during nationwide protests against President Mohamed Morsi on Friday, the second anniversary of the uprising that toppled Hosni Mubarak.
One of the dead was a member of the security forces, medics said. Another 280 civilians and 55 security personnel were injured, officials said, in demonstrations fueled by anger at the president and his Islamist allies in the Muslim Brotherhood.
Thousands of opponents of Morsi massed in Cairo's Tahrir Square - the cradle of the revolt against Mubarak - to rekindle the demands of a revolution they say has been hijacked by Islamists who have betrayed its goals.
Street battles erupted in Cairo, Alexandria, Suez and Port Said. Arsonists attacked at least two state-owned buildings as symbols of government were targeted. An office used by the Muslim Brotherhood's political party was also torched.
The Jan. 25 anniversary laid bare the divide between the Islamists and their secular rivals.
This schism is hindering the efforts of Morsi, elected in June, to revive an economy in crisis and reverse a plunge in Egypt's currency by enticing back investors and tourists.
Inspired by the popular uprising in Tunisia, Egypt's revolution spurred further revolts across the Arab world. But the sense of common purpose that united Egyptians two years ago has given way to internal strife that had already triggered bloody street battles last month.
"Our revolution is continuing. We reject the domination of any party over this state. We say no to the Brotherhood state," Hamdeen Sabahy, a popular leftist leader, told Reuters.
PhotoBlog: Protesters fill Tahrir Square on anniversary of Egyptian revolution
Ed Giles / Getty Images
An Egyptian protester runs with a live tear gas canister during clashes with riot police around Cairo's Tahrir Square on Friday.
The Brotherhood decided against mobilizing for the anniversary, wary of the scope for more conflict after December's violence, stoked by Morsi's decision to fast-track an Islamist-tinged constitution rejected by his opponents.
The Brotherhood denies accusations that it is seeking to dominate Egypt, labeling them a smear campaign by its rivals.
Death in Suez
There were conflicting accounts of the lethal shooting in Suez. Some witnesses said security forces had opened fire in response to gunfire from masked men.
News of the deaths capped a day of violence which started in the early hours. Before dawn in Cairo, police battled protesters who threw petrol bombs and firecrackers as they approached a wall blocking access to government buildings near Tahrir Square.
Clouds of tear gas filled the air. At one point, riot police used one of the incendiaries thrown at them to set ablaze at least two tents erected by youths, a Reuters witness said.
Yuka Tachibana / NBC News
A boy is draped in the Egyptian flag as protesters gather in Tahrir Square in Cairo on Friday. Despite clashes around the square, the atmosphere inside was festive at times.
Skirmishes between stone-throwing youths and the police continued in streets around the square into the day. Ambulances ferried away a steady stream of casualties.
Protesters echoed the chants of 2011's historic 18-day uprising. "The people want to bring down the regime," they chanted. "Leave! Leave! Leave!" chanted others as they marched towards the square.
"We are not here to celebrate but to force those in power to submit to the will of the people. Egypt now must never be like Egypt during Mubarak's rule," said Mohamed Fahmy, an activist.
There were similar scenes in Suez and Alexandria, where protesters and riot police clashed near local government offices. Black smoke billowed from tires set ablaze by youths.
In Cairo, police fired tear gas to disperse a few dozen protesters trying to remove barbed-wire barriers protecting the presidential palace, witnesses said. A few masked men got as far as the gates before they were beaten back.
Tear gas was also fired at protesters who tried to remove metal barriers outside the state television building.
Outside Cairo, protesters broke into the offices of provincial governors in Ismailia and Kafr el-Sheikhin the Nile Delta. A local government building was torched in the Nile Delta city of al-Mahalla al-Kubra.
Badie calls for 'serious competition'
With an eye on parliamentary elections likely to begin in April, the Brotherhood marked the anniversary with a charity drive across the nation. It plans to deliver medical aid to one million people and distribute affordable basic foodstuffs.
Writing in Al-Ahram, Egypt's flagship state-run daily, Brotherhood leader Mohamed Badiesaid the country was in need of "practical, serious competition" to reform the corrupt state left by the Mubarak era.
Asmaa Waguih / Reuters
On the second anniversary of the uprising that toppled Hosni Mubarak, hundreds of youths clash with police.
"The differences of opinion and vision that Egypt is passing through is a characteristic at the core of transitions from dictatorship to democracy, and clearly expresses the variety of Egyptian culture," he wrote.
Morsi's opponents say he and his group are seeking to dominate the post-Mubarak order. They accuse him of showing some of the autocratic impulses of the deposed leader by, for example, driving through the new constitution last month.
"I am taking part in today's marches to reject the warped constitution, the 'Brotherhoodisation'of the state, the attack on the rule of law, and the disregard of the president and his government for the demands for social justice," Amr Hamzawy, a prominent liberal politician, wrote on his Twitter feed.
The Brotherhood says its rivals are failing to respect the rules of the new democracy that put the Islamists in the driving seat via free elections.
Six months into office, Morsi is also being held responsible for an economic crisis caused by two years of turmoil. The Egyptian pound has sunk to record lows against the dollar.
The parties that called for Friday's protests list demands including a complete overhaul of the constitution.
Critics say the constitution, which was approved in a referendum, offers inadequate protection for human rights, grants the president too many privileges and fails to curb the power of a military establishment supreme in the Mubarak era.
Morsi'ssupporters say enacting the constitution quickly was crucial to restoring stability needed for economic recovery.
Related:
PhotoBlog: Egypt riot police set fire to protest tents in Tahrir Square, witness says
Egyptians fear decades of Muslim Brotherhood rule, warn Morsi is no friend to US
'Egypt is free,' crowds cheer after Mubarak quits
Copyright 2013 Thomson Reuters. Click for restrictions.
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This is the moment, it's a battle between those who wanted to impose an Islamic rule on the Egyptians and those, who after starting the revolution that toppled Mubarak, have to fight again to get rid of the opportunist MB. Egypt is the largest Arab country in terms of population and geographically is at the center of the Arab World. The outcome of this battle will determine the future of the Middle East, now the question is "What Will Obama Do", the message from Egypt is loud and clear, and here it is.
Sign in Cairo's Tahrir Square: 'Obama you jerk, Muslim Brotherhoods are killing the Egyptians'
http://twitchy.com/2013/01/25/sign-in-cairos-tahrir-square-obama-you-jerk-muslim-brotherhoods-are-killing-the-egyptians/
It is so nice to see you on this post Coptic Christian....You seem a little bit of a voice of reason within these horrible and ignorant comments. I hope these people are not representative of people in the U.S. The people who wrote that sign was asked to do so by the foreign press. My friends asked the writers of the sign if they knew what they were being asked to do and they replied "no". While many of the Egyptians feel that Pres. Obama is giving money directly to the MB there is no evidence of that here. Human Rights groups are watching things pretty closely.
Has it been reported in the U.S. that H.H. Pope Tadros has been meeting with the Sheik of the Grand Mosque? (Who is very liberal) There are small issues here, but we are working on them. Please have faith in us here, okay? Also, there has been miracle after miracle being seen here. The Blessed Mother has been seen in many different areas of Egypt (Giza, Alexandria, Sohag to name a few places) Are these being reported in the U. S.?
We find your comments to not only be horrible, but false as well. Feel free to pretend Americans aren't aware of what Egypt is really like, but except for Obama and his Progressive rump swabs, we're aware that the elected leaders of Egypt come from the same group that bombed the WTC the first time and the forerunner of Al-Queda.
Good going drjill. Now petition the Holy Mother to arrange for the British to come back in and take control of Egypt again and fix the place.
Johnny why would you want the British to come here? One of the arguments (flawed but still out there) the extremists have is that they do not want the British to come in here because Mrs. Suzanne Mubarak was half British. The majority of the Egyptian people respect and care for her (probably more than her husband) for she raised the literacy rate exponentially during her term as first lady. Further, if Pres. Mubarak would have listened to her in the first place, we probably would not be in this situation. She did not want him to run again. Both the Muslims and Christians have a GREAT deal of respect for the Holy Mother as you refer to her. I think it is her appearances that, for whatever reason, have kept some of the MB in check. (Among other things as well) It is only for the Egyptian people to fix their own country. Not Britain, the U.S. or any other country for that matter. We can all support them, but...in the end it is for them to do. The Holy Mother has been seen in Egypt since the early Egyptians kept her and her family safe from Herod. She has been seen here more than in any other place in the world. This has been very well documented. It will take all levels and means to help this budding democracy take hold and flourish. It will also take time and organization. The important thing is to give them hope and stop tearing them down.
Coptic Christian....I have been checking on this. According to some of the people down on the street they are not sure who asked them to write it. The kids just said the people had foreign press passes and looked European. They paid them for it. I am not sure if the banner is still up. I have heard that they have left it up. And then some people say they have been asked to, and have, taken it down. You know how things go here. We hope tomorrow will be better. Morsi says he is going to address the people via twitter and SMS. I will let you know what, if anything, he says. Let us hope that it is good and useful and that he follows his words up with positive actions for all.
Take care my friend.
Thanks drjill please keep us posted about what's going on in Egypt. I am still worried about the cooperation of the United States and Qatar in meddling in the internal affairs of Egypt. I hope that ultimately moderate Egyptians will take over because the loons who are running Egypt today are ruining this great country.
@drjill, as for Pope Tawadross, he is definitely the right man at the right time, he combines spirituality with smartness, his work with Sheik El Azhar should help the moderate voices, both Muslims and Christians. El Azhar has been infiltrated and is in danger of falling in the hands of Islamist and if that happens it will be yet another disaster for Egypt.
Yes he is wonderful isn't he? He was one of the people who helped me with my dissertation so many years ago. I will definitely keep you posted. There are many friends posting on my fb page as well. They (and we) are in it for the long run. There are issues and concerns, but the Copts, other Christians, (Evangelicals), Secularists, and Liberals must try and become more organized. They are close. Along with those concerns there is a lot of hope.
Meh, it will be happening here in America soon. Keep in mind all the idiots who voted for this Muslim president we have.
Fundamentally changing America and the Constitution is the dream agenda for this Quasi dictator.
Better a Muslim than the dumbass queer fake christian who previously resided in the white house.
Said the Muslim who never worked, but manages to hate homosexuals.
Here you go again, conservatives talking out of their arses. The rest of us just call it brain farts. Always wanting to lay it all on the the current Admin when in fact, all of the powers that be said go in and help those poor people over throw the dick-tater. Stop the lies. Jackasses.
Good to hear from you executioner. Isn't the net amazing. there you are in Saudiland chopping heads and you still find time during breaks to read and comment on worldnews. You seem to have great interest in the subspecies Equus Africanus asinus. spiffing ol' chap. This may be hard for you but try to keep your dick tater out of the aforementioned's aperture
What you call Powers to be, are actually the racist, socialist, failed Governments of Europe and what type of spineless incompetent loser has the most powerful position in the world and lets inferiors dictate what he does?
Chris:
Israel cannot and will not be destroyed!!!
They are God's CHOSEN people!!!
Read the Book.
Is this a sarcastic comment?
Borderlands:
NO! the TRUTH!!!
We working American citizens need to be good little worker bees so we can give our King and his Republic MORE of our hard earned income so that he can purchase MORE weapons, tankers, and airplanes for his buds, the Muslim Brotherhood. Our King demands more from the prosperous producers here in America, and gives millions to countries who hate us. He gave $450 Million to to Egypt 2 weeks after they failed to protect our embassy in the protests. He just upped foreign aid another whopping $900 Million! While our own people in NJ still have no homes/heat/water, and unemployment/food stamps/welfare strangles almost half our country, our Nobel Peace Prize President arms the Muslim Brotherhood with US tax dollars and gives millions away to other dictators! This money does NOT trickle down to the poor. Never does, never will.
Also, whether you choose to defend your home and family against intruders, or choose to remain a defenseless victim in your own home, please remember: "An unarmed society and dictators go together." Just look at history folks.
And this is JUST the beginning. For you that put this Soros puppet back in office, YOU are to blame. Praise be to the Republic!
another Fox news conspiracy nut huh?
good luck with that
Maybe, but what he says is all true beyond dispute.
Maybe their democracy should.. i dont know represent every group equally.. that way there is no majority that can alienate the citizens of Eygpt.. good luck humans on the other side!
Thank you for your positive comment Founding Fathers Denied. It is greatly appreciated. The Egyptians are trying. They appreciate your wishing them luck. It is difficult but well worth the struggle. I wish more people on this post were like you. :)
"...Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael...and he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man's hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethen(Genesis 16:11-12)."
The things in the "BOOK" always comes to past.
I believe we ought to read and obey the Book!
I believe you're a delusional psycopath..
theexecutioner:
"The TRUTH hurts!!!
But there is STILL hope for you: "REPENT!"
Psycopath are usually "demon-possessed!!!"
and you sound like one, have a good day.
Not a Psychopath but an executioner and a literal donkey loving liberal.
Is this the same country where four F-16 fighter jets that took off from Texas today are to be given as a gift to Mohamed Morsi? Where these are only part of a huge gift deal of 16 more F-16's and 2 Abrams tanks that will be delivered this year because it was a gift from our current Administration in 2010 to Hosni Mubarak to keep Egypt our ally?
In where now the 5th president of Egypt, Mohamed Morsi, who is also an enormous supporter and member of the Muslim Brotherhood and who is looking to implement Sharia Law into their governing system...
Really? I mean really???
I guess we can all now without a doubt and without any debate now conclude that our current Administration supports a Muslim leader who would have womane pushed back two thousands years to be put back into slavery and ruled by Men. And here we are giving them 20 F-16's and 2 Abrams Tanks.
Way to go US government... effen morons.
Now is the time to apply for a job with the State Dept or the CIA. They need additional morons and especially effen morons. Comment below if you're already an effen moron employee.
I doubt Obummer even knows this is happening and if he did he would get around to investigating it after the deal is conpleted of course. Business as usual under this clown.
Even the staunchest liberal has to have a hard time rationalizing this deal. OTOH
Egypt is the enemy now.
Why do we continue to arm them?
So true! This country never learns. We armed Iran when we didn't like Iraq and then armed Iraq when we didn't like Iran. Now both countries have used those weapons against us.
Gee what a surprise! A bunch of zealots are destroying another country. It is time for this country to say enough and get out of the middle east. This type of thing will continue and there is nothing to be done. As long as religion is allowed to be the focus of government as it is in Islamic countries there will be this kind of strife. This should be a cautionary tale for this country. We are allowing religion to dictate policy. This trend will lead to the same kind of loss of rights and freedoms that are occuring in the middle east.
Rather have religion dictate policy than idiots like Obama who was just foundto have violated the Constitution with his recess appointments by the DC Court of Appeals, either thje first or second most liberal court in America, always vying with the 9th in San Francisco. As long as the dictator is some fraud who grew up overseas its ok, even though he too professes to be religious.
Say it not on the internet skibum. You are offending the virgin liberal ears of the faithful who see Obama as the messiah come to resue them from the evil Bush.
they just need to to build over that square.
Time to test out one of their new F-16's..... buzzzzzzzzzzz...... boom. Pary over.
party over... typo.
Now is the time to vacation in Egypt. There are great tour bargains with life, accident and dismemberment insurance built in at no additional cost. Now is the time to visit the pyramids and ride a camel before the Muslims fundamentalists tear them down and the starving peasants kill and eat the camel. See the famous Suez canal and take pictures of the bodies floating in it to show your friends back home. Visit a famous museum and see a mummie and walk the streets and see the curse of the mummie. Eat the exotic food and experience exotic, medieval medical science at an Islamic hospital as they pump your stomach with Halal goat intestines. Finally, fly home on a military aircraft with Marines sent to rescue you from the friendly natives and then, looking back, give Caliph Obama credit as a world leader for hope and change in Egypt, the ancient cradle of civilization.
What happened to Obama's Egyptian Summer? It seems there is a change of season going on there.
This will be us withen 1 year.
It's gonna take longer than a year. The M.B. has predicted that they will rule Europe by 2022. They are much further along in Europe than they are in the U.S. But you are right we will be fighting a war with Islamists here in the streets of U.S. Right now the M.B. is engaged in what they call "Civilization Jihad" by a "stealth war" with all western civilization.
I really hope that the Egyptian people are successful of ridding Egypt of the Muslim Brotherhood....again. Every middle east terrorist group has their roots in the M.B. Bin Laden... M.B. as well as his second in command, Zawahiri. Hamas is named after a town in Syria where Assad's father tried to wipe out the M.B. after they attempted to assassinate him, then went to Hama to kill other members of the government. Look up the Hama massacre. PLO... Arafat"s 2 closest adviser both senior members of M.B. The M.B. is the largest and worst terrorist group on the face of the planet and the Obama admin. has supported them. The U.S. government is funding terrorist.
Obama is Islam-lite to please the dear departed Kenyan father he worships. In his honor he wears the magic Muslim ring enscribed with the words," there is no god but Allah." He's not a friend of the Shiites however. He's an Indonesian Sunni sympathizer fried to perfection and brown on both sides.
Obama might be worse than any one thinks. Check out his collage days. His good friend Chandoo, a wealthy Paki. is M.B. as well as Chandoo's entire family, whom Obama stayed with during his time in Pakistan. Obama's first official act was to seal all of his records so it has been very difficult to establish proof of exactly what Obama is.
Well Martin it's the dream of Obama's weather underground buddies and Bill Ayers his convicted communist terrorist bomber friend. But you can stop it if you try.
Quick Barry, get them their F-16s and Abrams A-1 M1s so they can kill each other.
Obama is the top Mulslim Allahu Akbar
Good thing we got those F-16's to Morsi so he can use them against his people when they demonstrate.
How ironic.....Russia weapons helping Asaad...our weapons helping Morsi. We just cant keep our nose out of other peoples business. And we condemn the Russians for helping Asaad.....are we any different?
Egypt is unstable, why did we just send them Aircraft and Tanks? WTF is wrong with this administration!!??
Can anyone truly be so out of touch with reality? You don't give weapons to possible enemies, bozos in the WH.
There goes our tax $ again , right down the crapper.
Lot of silly comments. The middle east will be sorting thru their post colonial period for awhile. The pendulum will swing back and forth several times until they sort out how this is going to work. We just need to keep our noses out of it and let them sort it out.
Not being isolationist; just think there are better places to invest our time, our money and the lives of our military.
Also see the Russians stating to evacuate their people from Syria. When Assad falls, Iran will be pushed out of Syria, reducing their influence in Lebanon and Gaza. Best to stay out and let the middle east sort itself out. If we were not always their, the Saudis and others would be taking more ownership for what is going on over there. Prefer their boots on the ground to ours.
You can't overthrow the government with rocks, firecrackers, and petrol bombs.
See the problem happens to be when a religion and it's laws are shoved down your throat ,instead of it being your own individual choice.People will revolt!!Which in turn will turn an economy upside down,because nobody wants to really take that kind of chance to invest in it.Seperation of church and state, faith and state,faith and it's laws.Let people have thier faith ,but it shouldn't be the rule in the government of the country.
Well, Obama is trying to protect 'his' revolution by supplying F-16s and tanks to the Morsi administration.
That's nice.