E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSSA day after 37 people were killed in protests, chaos erupted among the thousands who walked to mourn them. Meanwhile, President Morsi declared a state of emergency. NBC's Ayman Moyeldin reports.
Seven people were shot dead and hundreds were injured in Port Said on Sunday during the funerals of 33 protesters killed at the weekend. A total of 49 people have been killed in demonstrations around the country since Thursday and Morsi's opponents have called for more protests on Monday.
In a televised address, Morsi said a nightly curfew would be introduced in Port Said, Ismailia and Suez, starting Monday evening. He also called for dialogue with top politicians. About 200 people protested in Ismailia after the announcement.
"The protection of the nation is the responsibility of everyone. We will confront any threat to its security with force and firmness within the remit of the law," the president said, adding that he offered condolences to families of the victims of those who died in the cities.
In Cairo the newly appointed interior minister Mohamed Ibrahim was ejected from the funeral of one of the police officers who died during Saturday's clashes in Port Said, according to witnesses and police sources.
State television said seven people died from gunshot wounds on Sunday. Port Said's head of hospitals, Abdel Rahman Farag, told Reuters more than 400 people had suffered from teargas inhalation, while 38 were wounded by gunshots.
Gunshots had killed many of the 33 who died on Saturday when residents went on the rampage after a court sentenced 21 people, mostly from the Mediterranean port, to death for their role in deadly soccer violence at a stadium there last year.
A military source said many people in Port Said, which lies next to the increasingly lawless Sinai Peninsula, possess guns because they do not trust the authorities to protect them. However it was not clear who was behind the deaths and injuries.
In Cairo, police fired teargas at dozens at protesters throwing stones and petrol bombs in a fourth day of clashes over what demonstrators there and in other cities say is a power grab by Islamists two years after Hosni Mubarak was overthrown.
In Ismaila city, which lies on the Suez Canal between the cities of Suez and Port Said, police also fired teargas at protesters attacking a police station with petrol bombs and stones, according to witnesses and a security source there.
The protesters accuse Morsi, elected in June with the support of his Muslim Brotherhood group, of betraying the democratic goals of the revolution. Most of the deaths since Thursday were in Port Said and Suez, both cities where the army has now been deployed.
The violence adds to the daunting task facing Morsi as he tries to fix a beleaguered economy and cool tempers before a parliamentary election expected in the next few months which is supposed to cement Egypt's transition to democracy.
Deep rift
It has exposed a deep rift in the nation. Liberals and other opponents accuse Morsi of failing to deliver on economic promises and say he has not lived up to pledges to represent all Egyptians. His backers say the opposition is seeking to topple Egypt's first freely elected leader by undemocratic means.
Heba Morayef of Human Rights Watch in Cairo said a state of emergency reintroduced laws that gave police sweeping powers of arrest "purely because (people) look suspicious".
"It is a classic knee jerk reaction to think the emergency law will help bring security," she said. "It gives so much discretion to the Ministry of Interior that it ends up causing more abuse which in turn causes more anger."
The opposition Popular Current and other groups have called for more protests on Monday to mark what was one of the bloodiest days of the 2011 uprising.
On a bridge close to Tahrir Square, youths hurled stones at police in riot gear who fired teargas to push them back towards the square, the cauldron of the uprising that erupted on January 25, 2011 and toppled Mubarak 18 days later.
"None of the revolution's goals have been realized," said Mohamed Sami, a protester in Cairo's Tahrir Square on Sunday.
"Prices are going up. The blood of Egyptians is being spilt in the streets because of neglect and corruption and because the Muslim Brotherhood is ruling Egypt for their own interests."
Clashes also erupted in other streets near the square. The U.S. and British embassies, both close to Tahrir, said they were closed for public business on Sunday, normally a working day.
The army, Egypt's interim ruler until Morsi's election, was sent back onto the streets to restore order in Port Said and Suez, which both lie on the Suez canal. In Suez, at least eight people were killed in clashes with police.
Many ordinary Egyptians are frustrated by the violence that have hurt the economy and their livelihoods.
"They are not revolutionaries protesting," said taxi driver Kamal Hassan, 30, referring to those gathered in Tahrir. "They are thugs destroying the country."
Call for dialogue
The National Defence Council, headed by Morsi, called on Saturday for national dialogue to discuss political differences.
That offer has been cautiously welcomed by the opposition National Salvation Front. But the coalition has demanded a clear agenda and guarantees that any agreements will be implemented.
The Front, formed late last year when Morsi provoked protests and violence by expanding his powers and driving through an Islamist-tinged constitution, has threatened to boycott the parliamentary poll and call for more protests if its demands are not met, including for an early presidential vote.
Egypt's transition has been blighted from the outset by political rows and turbulence on the streets that have driven investors out and kept many tourists away. Its currency, the pound, has steadily weakened against the dollar.
Leave a Comment:
What do you bet this will be happening on US turf soon!
It is just a matter of time when the poor will have had enough and they be on the streets with guns!!! This will happen when the give away ends.
“The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money. ”--Margaret Thatcher
If these commies try to take our guns in Texas it's damn sure going to happen down here.
Many of those people have guns because they don't trust the police to protect them. Good reason for the people in the U.S.A. to be able to have the guns they want also.
Went and bought a Shotgun before Newtown happened. It's for the earthquake drama, but will work nicely in other cases.
Too bad, "they" are right. If a Federal Team shows up at your house to get your guns, what are you going to do? Make a defense base with your family? Watch them all die in the process.
No, we bury the weapons/hide them, and they go to the next house.
You know, they already have my background check, thumbprint, and any/all information available to them, to buy it (welcome to CA, such a lovely place, you kind find it here, any time of year..). Do I have to do it twice with the Feds?
i too have guns stashed,none in the home.
Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.
Obama will send them another billion dollars that we barrow from china. I wonder why no one is trying to kill the people in China like they try to kill us????
China is killing itself. It will implode from too many requirements for resources, and resulting pollution impacts.
Everything is right on schedule. On King has fallen and another will follow.
Maranatha!
Sounds like "the people have spoken" isn't quite over yet.
I would have liked to seen the Pyramids also. Too bad, my wife will not go now. She does not want to get hassled, stabbed, shot, etc....
Hey, you know Israel still looks OK. Maybe we should go there before the Iranians make a glass parking lot out of it.
Johnny, better HURRY. Sounds like we don't have that long to wait...
Johnny....please be assured that Egypt is safe and ready to show you her hospitality. the people miss us like crazy. We represent hope for them. Your wife would be AMAZED at how respectful the people are of women. Please tell your wife not to listen to the news. I live here!! Egypt is safe. I know this might sound unbelievable to many people but I actually feel safer here than I do in the U.S. (I am from the San Diego area) It would be my pleasure and honor to show you and your wife this beautiful country, some of her archeological sites that are only open to scholars, and maybe cruise the Nile. There are many, MANY of us (Professors, teachers, Archeologists, etc) who are here, working, and enjoying our lives. It is a magical time here, for direct democracy is in play. and, as with any place a person just needs to avoid certain areas. Cairo is 8 times the size of L.A. Even though my flat is in Cairo (Heliopolis is a suburb of Cairo) I am well over 2 hours away from Tahrir Square.
Do not be afraid. Come and enjoy the Pyramids, Saqqara, Valley of the Kings, and a very special Valley of the Artisans. You will go back to the U.S. a much different and better person. In kind regards.
Sorry, no, I will not be visiting Egypt. Americans have been chased from there and it is not the same place that it was a few yrs ago. People from many parts of the world lived and worked there...but the radicals no longer want that...It is not safe and probably will not be safe for many years.
I can understand how you would not want to come here. However, your statement about Americans being chased away is incorrect. And we can agree to disagree for I am here and feel safe. I know people think this is an insane comment and feeling, but I actually feel safer here than I do in many parts of the U.S. The Copts, Liberal, and Secularists outnumber the Extremists, they are just trying to get organized. H. H. pope Tadros and the liberal Sheik of the Grand Mosque are working together to help matters. Unfortunately they do not get the press/media coverage. The Egyptian people miss the friendliness of the Americans and our open-mindedness. There are many of us here, doing what we do and continuing the work we have all been doing. It is my hope that people will view Egypt the way we do here in the country and choose to help the Egyptian people. We have much more in common that the people here in these pages realize. It is sad that they do not connect to their history. In kind regards.
I just did a computer search using the words Egypt foreign workers and up popped info upon info about how the new gov of Egypt were expelling foreign workers and arresting and putting on trial many others. Apparently NGO workers (Non government organizations) were the target of the new radicals. .....Sorry, you dont want us....then we will not be tourists...nor will we risk your country being safe with all the radical elements that are now there. Egypt with its history would have been one of the areas that I would liked to have visited....but, I know better.
The NGO's had been being investigated for a few years. Some of them are fine and some of them were bringing in younger people (interns they called them) under visas that were incorrect. During former Pres. Mubarak's term they were beginning the investigations. Most of them were expelled last year. Some of the younger people have come back or the organizations who are still here have cleaned up their visas. Some of the hotels and marketing or translation businesses have been doing that too, bringing in people under incorrect visas. But, in all fairness to them, the visa process is (at best) confusing, and at worst expensive. For example, a tourist visas is only about 25.00 USD whereas an educational visa can run upwards of 100.00 or more USD depending on the school and status of the professors. From what I understand the NGO's would bring in the younger people on an educational visa which is cheaper than a media or other educational visas. It is a complicated process and one I have to confess I hate to deal with. There is a large American staff at the AUC (American University of Cairo) and Chicago University. There are other schools, too, who have their ducks in a row (so to speak). St. Fatima and the Language schools are really good at the visa process. I suppose nothing is ever perfect....nor I would not want to twist someone's arm to come. but, the people here in tourism are mostly the Copts and liberals. They are of course concerned with the political situation, but then they are being harmed by Americans not coming over. The British come as tourists and even the Canadians come, but the Americans stay away. We saw a rather large tour group who were French the other day. So the Copts, other Christians, liberals, and secularists are getting hit from both ends. Hopefully you will feel more comfortable one day to come and then you will be able to see for yourself. I had friends come and stay with me over a break. They loved it because there were very few lines, the people were gracious, and they could stay and pray in many of the areas where the crowds usually are. Further, even though the Egyptian Museum is off of Tahrir Square as long as a person does not go there Thursday, Friday, or Saturday things are pretty settled and quiet. This last week the protestors began to come to the square about Tuesday or so, so traffic was a pain. But I had a friend (Copt Christian female) who was down at the square on Thursday and said she had no problems.
Again, I guess time will tell. Some new sites have even been opened such as the Serapium out at Saqqara. It is an AWESOME tomb where the ancient Egyptians mummified the bulls and put them in Sarcophagi. It is an amazing place. My area of expertise is in the Valley of the Artisans. This is the small valley (wadi) between the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens. It is the village of the workers/artisans who did the tombs in the Valley of the Kings. There are only two real tombs, here but they are simply gorgeous and the colors are pristine. Anyway, I apologize for could ramble on about them. It is peaceful there and quiet. I hope you get to see it and the other special places that make Egypt such a wonderful and magical place. Take it from someone who lives and works here, you are missed.
Take care. In kind regards.
Well, so much for the Arab Spring, and our support of it. At least our U.S. Air Force got some planning, targeting, and bombing practice in Libya out of it. Another foreign policy victory for the Administration, and for George Soros' Open Society Institute, whose tax-exempt 501 (c) (3) "grass roots" organizations very likely coordinated and twitter-initiated the well-covered, well-coordinated, well-propagandized uprisings. Anyone remember the burka-clad woman speaking directly into the camera in near-perfect English saying how excited she was? I'm sure she spoke for the bulk of women who look forward to a life of chattel slavery, only to pass it along to their daughters, under Sharia Law. Wait, maybe that would work for American women as well...
Looking forward to the United Islamic Republic, from Pakistan to Morocco. It's not a dream or a movie. It's happening NOW, supported by your tax dollars...
where is Johnny Gigantic 6670084? I stole your number dude.
Looking forward to the United Islamic Republic, from Pakistan to Morocco. It's not a dream or a movie. It's happening NOW, supported by your tax dollars...
As I have been saying. Good thing we have some petroleum based products in the US, Canada, and Mexico. Cause when the House of Saud falls, that's it. No more bug juice.
As a new user, you may notice a few temporary content restrictions. Click here for more info.
Well what did we expect,The Brotherhood,yea like the Brothers in the Hood. Listen DC do not send any more $ to those cave dwellers. It's their country,let them solve their own problems. They voted moose in ,now live w/ it u morons,.....We dont need to police the Fing world we have enough here to take care of. So do what u were elected to do and stop trying to be GOD!!!!
I am convinced of my own Greatness. I am the one.
OK. Who may say this?
it is the true color of the muslim brotherhood.it will proof to be the worst dictatorial regime.
and we can't visit the Pyramids? Darn.
Well, we could, I am sure with enough money and clout it is no problem.
If you get on one of the "earth picture" sites, you will see a fantastic resort at the base of the Pyramids. If I raise objections to things while at the resort (maybe any objections...), do you think they would throw me out? How about if I said BOOH! Same thing?
Hope you have a hot ride to the airport.
Mr. Khan,
Thank you, شكرا Shokran, for your courage to speak here. At least thus far it is legal in the United States as enshrined in our Bill of Rights.
Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/bill_of_rights_transcript.html
Who cares about this crap hole of a country beyond the fact that the USA will soon be mirroring what is going on in this country!
Somehow Egypt became a barometer of the Middle East.
Maybe it is the large population, geography, proximity to Israel.
Gotta love the Jewish people.
Do you think they care two @!$%#s about Swedish/German Americans? Maybe this could be a new "block" in Congress.
Johnny, as a fellow Goyim, I can't speak for the Jewish people, but I think that they, like the rest of us, are trying to sort out who they are as Americans and as citizens of the world.
Peter Beinart, in his book "The Crisis of Zionism" [New York: Times Books, 2012] lamented the identity crisis of American Jewry as well as that of Israel, especially for young people. He states the ethics and politics of recovering from the horrors of the Holocaust are very different from the position of power they hold in American society today.
Norman Podhoretz, in his book "Why are Jews Liberals?" [New York: Vintage Books, 2010] noted that Karl Marx was briefly a Jewish convert to Christianity before he fell under the influence of Hegel and the Frankfurt School where he became an atheist. His new political philosphy became the rage (?opiate?) of the Intellectual Class 150 years ago, and the 20th Century documented the horrors which followed. The White House communications director who called Mao her "favorite political philosopher" either overlooked, buried, or rationalized Mao's butchering of 60-85 MILLION of his own people under his variant Marx's philosophy.
So, do the Jews care about the rest us? I can only believe they do. Ones I have met and worked with have been some of the most patriotic, giving and altruistic people I've had the privilege to know. American Jewry, along with the rest of American society, needs to sort out which Jewish Messiah it desires to follow--Karl Marx or Y'shua (Jesus Christ). I do hope their final choice was not reflected in the most recent election. I sincerely hope America returns to Jesus, rather than stumbling the rest of they way down the slippery and treacherous slope to Marx, Mao, Stalin, Che, Pol Pot, and the other Butchers of the 20th Century, including Hitler whose party was called National Socialist German Workers' Party (German: Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei, abbreviated NSDAP) [Wikipedia].
Our children and their children will live with the result of our choice...
Obama supported the fall of Mubarak. Obama supports Morsi. Obama wants to give them $3B+ in aid with F-16s and tanks to boot. Sure sounds like Obama supports Islamic fundamentalism.
I agree 100%. How come we are sending very nice, new F-16s, to Egypt. And these babies are no @!$%# in the grass. (Trust me or READ while you still can). (If, like, you need to worry about that with any operational F-16).
It is US money, appropriated as military aid. Don't you think we could stop a sale in process?
Why is Egypt getting some very top line fighters?
It is your money people. Unfortunately, we borrow 45 cents on the dollar.
WHEN the interest rate goes up, it will push out things that all US citizens may want. Like food, water, gas, .....
But it's still BUSH's FAULT, right?
We're supposed to give up our guns, while the POTUS gives F16s and tanks to an out-of-control Egypt? Who do the Egyptians need to defend themselves from? We're in national-debt up to our eyeballs and we've got the money to give way lots of multi-million dollar weapons? Like they say on ESPN, "Come on man!"
This is the result when people living under a dictatorial regime think their salvation lies in democratization. What was and is needed in Egypt and elsewhere is the establishment of a constitutional republic. In such a system, checks are put on the powers of govenment, especially the executive, and the rights of individuals and minorities (such as religious minorities) are guaranteed. Democratic elections alone won't do the trick. As long as DEMOCRACY is the battle cry, this is what the Middle East will look like.
It sounds like we need to make the bridge for everyone of the difference between a Democracy, and a Republic, perhaps, such as the US is supposed to be.
I cannot believe NBC still lets us comment. (sorry MSM you suck)
It will go bye-bye perhaps (the comments capability), if we do not control (elect, vote) the system.
It is up to US Patriots once again.
The NEW Patriots. (if required). Shake with caution. Don not point towards face.
Patriots need to support the current system, minus all the BS. It is really the only way. (How am I going to shoot a cop, or a Highway Patrolman, or a Reserve Soldier?).
Oh wait, Troller in our midst. Ha HA, just kidding.
I just voted up for myself! That's one.
well the Republicans have been dumbing down. Yet they are still light yrs. more intelligent than anything voting or running in the democrats cesspool. I love how they attack the Republicans when the egyptian government their masters said was the people's choice is falling apart.
10 seconds before the Egyptians blame their foolishness on Israel....9....8....7....
We're sending these folks F-16s? Excellent!
I like mashed potatos.
State of emergency......next step......grant himself emergency powers......next step.......take total control.....next step....sharia law....next step.....berkas for all women....next step....take on Israel....next step...clean up radioactive Cairo.....
Well said bill