View Full Version : Mubarak flees to London (initial report, unconfirmed)
Interesting development, eh?
LINK (http://www.examiner.com/foreign-policy-in-national/breaking-president-s-son-and-family-have-fled-to-the-uk)
An Italian news publication has just announced that Gamal Mubarak, Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak's son who is widely tipped as his successor, has fled to London with his family, Arabic website Akhbar al-Arab said on Tuesday, January 24, 2011.
Gamal Mubarak is seen as Hosni Mubarak's successor. The report is unconfirmed, but goes on to say that the family and 97 pieces of luggage on board left for London on Tuesday from an airport in western Cairo.
The day has seen a revolutionary uprising of Egyptians against the regime of Hosni Mubarak asking for his resignation. Police and protesters clashed, and an anti-riot police officer was killed in Central Cairo.
Taking part in the protest were supporters of former UN nuclear watchdog chief Mohammed El Baradei, the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood, the opposition al-Ghad party, the al-Wafd party and supporters of the '6 April' movement.
Mubarak has shown little tolerance for protests in the past.
silentreader
01-25-2011, 21:10
Wow... this should be... interesting.
If Mubarak's government collapses it's a good thing for the cause of freedom, but (likely) bad for the foreign policy of the US.
I would be very concerned that a collapse of the current Egyptian government, would be similar to the fall of the Shah of Iran.
incarcerated
01-26-2011, 01:31
On January 13th during the Tunisian coup, anti-government demonstrators orchestrated false reports that the Foreign Minister had resigned. May be more of the same here regarding Mubarak. If this report proves accurate, it will dramatically alter Israel’s security situation.
U.S., in shift, bluntly urges Mubarak to reform now
By Arshad Mohammed
WASHINGTON | Wed Jan 26, 2011 1:35pm EST
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States bluntly urged Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on Wednesday to make political reforms in the face of protesters demanding his ouster, marking a pivot in its stance toward a key Arab ally.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton delivered the message at a news conference with the foreign minister of Jordan, another Arab country that watched the ouster of Tunisia's president in a popular revolt two weeks ago.
Police in Cairo fought with thousands of Egyptians who defied a government ban on Wednesday to protest against Mubarak's 30-year-old rule, firing tear gas at the crowds and dragging away demonstrators.
The revolt in Tunisia has prompted questions about the stability of other Arab governments and initially dragged down equity, bond and foreign exchange prices in parts of the region, notably Egypt.
Tunisia's veteran strongman Zine al-Abedine Ben Ali was swept from power on January 14 after weeks of protests.
Clinton minced no words, suggesting Egypt's government had to act now if it wanted to avert a similar outcome and urging it not to crack down on peaceful protests or disrupt the social networking sites that help organize and accelerate them.
"We believe strongly that the Egyptian government has an important opportunity at this moment in time to implement political, economic and social reforms to respond to the legitimate needs and interests of the Egyptian people," Clinton said in a statement with Jordan's Nasser Judeh at her side.
"We urge the Egyptian authorities not to prevent peaceful protests or block communications including on social media sites," Clinton told reporters in the most blunt comments to date by the United States urging Mubarak to undertake reforms.
GENUINE CHANGE
Robert Danin of the Council on Foreign Relations think tank said Clinton's remarks for the first time appeared to make clear what the United States wants to see in Egypt: genuine change that originates from the government rather than a dramatic overthrow as occurred in Tunisia.
As the first Arab state to make peace with Israel, Egypt has much greater strategic importance to the United States than Tunisia. Egypt has long received major U.S. aid and supported Washington's efforts to promote a wider Arab-Israeli peace.
"This is not a walking away from the alliance with Egypt in any way but, at the same time, putting the Egyptian government on notice that changes are going to have to come pretty quickly," Danin said.
"It is trying to lay out a way there can be managed change if the regime is responsive to the people," he said. "It (the Obama administration) doesn't want to see the means adopted in Tunisia -- which would necessitate the leadership to flee."
The White House took a similar stance, making clear that it was monitoring events closely and that it fully supported the Egyptian people's right to peacefully protest.
"We are supportive of the universal rights of assembly (and) speech. ... We would stress quite clearly for all involved that expressions should be free from violence," White House spokesman Robert Gibbs told reporters aboard Air Force One.
"This is an important time for the government to demonstrate its responsibilities to the people of Egypt in recognizing those universal rights," Gibbs said.
(Additional reporting by Ross Colvin and Andrew Quinn; Editing by Will Dunham)
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE70P71O20110126
mark46th
01-27-2011, 10:28
Who is guarding the canal?
Badger52
01-27-2011, 15:28
With a 2nd hand source (human, so no URL) saying that Mubarak chaired an NDP crisis meeting this AM, me wonders how much of this is RUMINT. Maybe just pre-positioned his amenities.
The situation continues to develop.
LINK (http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jan/27/elbaradei-return-cairo-egypt)
Mohamed ElBaradei lands in Cairo:
Excerpt:
'There's no going back'Supporters insist Egypt's people will make change from below
Many in Egypt are accusing Mohamed ElBaradei of being a latecomer but in the end flight MS 798 from Vienna landed in Cairo 15 minutes ahead of schedule, carrying with it a man ready to assume the presidency.
Egypt's beleaguered regime was waiting. Dozens of metal traffic barriers manned by plainclothes state security officers had been erected throughout the terminal to block the public from mobbing ElBaradei when he arrived, but they proved no match for the media scrum as the 68-year-old emerged with his wife. "Will you be on the streets tomorrow?" screamed one journalist. "Doctor ElBaradei, the people of Egypt need you tomorrow," yelled a passer-by in Arabic.
Hemmed in by a throng of cameras, ElBaradei had little choice but to give an impromptu press conference.
"This is a critical time in the life of Egypt and I have come to participate with the Egyptian people," he said. "The regime has not been listening.
"If people, in particular young people, if they want me to lead the transition, I will not let them down. My priority right now ... is to see a new regime and to see a new Egypt through peaceful transition.
"I advise the government to listen to the people and not to use violence. There's no going back. I hope the regime stops violence, stops detaining people, stops torturing people. This will be completely counterproductive."
Only a smattering of well-wishers made it down to greet ElBaradei, a far cry from the scenes last February when the former UN nuclear weapons chief was met by more than a thousand supporters at the beginning of his triumphant return.
It seems the Muslim Brotherhood is going to participate in the protests.
LINK (http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/28/world/middleeast/28alexandria.html?_r=1)
A series of photos from the area.
LINK (http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2011/01/protest_spreads_in_the_middle.html)
incarcerated
01-29-2011, 13:15
http://www.stratfor.com/analysis/20110129-Egypt-Security-Vacuum
Security Vacuum in Egypt
January 29, 2011 | 1652 GMT
Egyptian protesters stand around tanks deployed in Cairo on Jan. 29Related Tens of thousands of protesters are gathering Jan. 29 demanding the resignation of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in defiance of an army curfew in Cairo, Alexandria and Suez. While a number of uncertainties remain over Egypt’s political future, a security crisis is building in the streets.
Egyptian police and Central Security Forces (CSF) have largely abandoned the streets following the Jan. 28 protests. The CSF represents the backbone of the country’s internal security apparatus. Under Mubarak, this force grew to about 325,000, outnumbering the 300,000-strong army (though two-thirds of the army is made up of conscripts and another 375,000 are considered reserves). The CSF, along with the 60,000-strong National Guard, are specially trained and equipped to deal with riots and insurgencies....
With no police on the streets, crime has skyrocketed. Prison outbreaks have been reported across Cairo, and criminals spent the night robbing and destroying banks and shops in the resulting chaos. Several central bank offices have reportedly been attacked across Egypt over the past several hours. A STRATFOR source in Cairo explained how impromptu neighborhood watch groups have formed, where civilians are standing guard in front of banks, shops, hospitals and even the national museum to try and deter looters.
This security factor could end up affecting the sustainability of the protests, as many people are too afraid to leave their homes and join the demonstrations for fear of being robbed.
Army personnel in tanks and armored personnel carriers are meanwhile patrolling the major areas where demonstrators are gathering, but their primary mission is to demonstrate the presence of state authority, not to protect the people. The military may still be well-positioned to re-impose order at the highest level of the regime and create the conditions for Mubarak’s departure, but given the hostilities that exist between the army and police and the glaring absence of police on the streets, the military faces an even greater challenge in trying to re-impose security in the country overall.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://www.stratfor.com/analysis/20110129-red-alert-hamas-and-muslim-brotherhood
Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood
January 29, 2011 | 1655 GMT
The following is a report from a STRATFOR source in Hamas. Hamas, which formed in Gaza as an outgrowth of the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood (MB), has an interest in exaggerating its role and coordination with the MB in this crisis. The following information has not been confirmed. Nonetheless, there is a great deal of concern building in Israel and the United States in particular over the role of the MB in the demonstrations and whether a political opening will be made for the Islamist organization in Egypt.
The Egyptian police are no longer patrolling the Rafah border crossing into Gaza. Hamas armed men are entering into Egypt and are closely collaborating with the MB. The MB has fully engaged itself in the demonstrations, and they are unsatisfied with the dismissal of the Cabinet. They are insisting on a new Cabinet that does not include members of the ruling National Democratic Party.
Security forces in plainclothes are engaged in destroying public property in order to give the impression that many protesters represent a public menace. The MB is meanwhile forming people’s committees to protect public property and also to coordinate demonstrators’ activities, including supplying them with food, beverages and first aid.
Utah Bob
01-29-2011, 19:13
Not Hosni, his son (http://www.eutimes.net/2011/01/egyptian-presidents-son-and-family-have-fled-to-the-uk/)
Team Sergeant
01-29-2011, 19:21
"Mubarak flees", I love it when I hear those words, FLEE. Like little rats.:munchin
It'd be nice to see a few more middle eastern dictators "flee".....;)
mojaveman
01-29-2011, 19:28
Who is guarding the canal?
That was one of my first thoughts. I think the American presence in the Sinai Peninsula ended some years ago.
The Reaper
01-29-2011, 21:56
I think we are better off with the devil we know than the devil we don't.
Mubarak has been pretty reliably pro-US, and he has generally kept his radicals in Egypt in check.
I do not believe that the majority of the opposition who is out in the streets would be so accomodating.
And I really doubt that Egypt is suddenly going to become a burgeoning democratic state, regardless of who is in charge.
This could rapidly turn into another situation like Iran did, especially if the Muslim Brotherhood takes over. The pro-US dictator left, and the religious fanatics seized control.
TR
That was one of my first thoughts. I think the American presence in the Sinai Peninsula ended some years ago.
The MFO detail continues. That may be one thing that ends depending on who takes over.
Even the Prez may get a little bent out of shape over the launching of rockets over the heads of US outposts - and the new government could throw out the whole agreement to begin with.
Amazing if true. I would suppose that certain parties on the Potomac are sweating about now.
LINK (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/egypt/8289686/Egypt-protests-Americas-secret-backing-for-rebel-leaders-behind-uprising.html)
Egypt protests: America's secret backing for rebel leaders behind uprising
The American government secretly backed leading figures behind the Egyptian uprising who have been planning “regime change” for the past three years, The Daily Telegraph has learned.
The American Embassy in Cairo helped a young dissident attend a US-sponsored summit for activists in New York, while working to keep his identity secret from Egyptian state police.
On his return to Cairo in December 2008, the activist told US diplomats that an alliance of opposition groups had drawn up a plan to overthrow President Hosni Mubarak and install a democratic government in 2011.
The secret document in full (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/egypt/8289698/Egypt-protests-secret-US-document-discloses-support-for-protesters.html)
He has already been arrested by Egyptian security in connection with the demonstrations and his identity is being protected by The Daily Telegraph.
The crisis in Egypt follows the toppling of Tunisian president Zine al-Abedine Ben Ali, who fled the country after widespread protests forced him from office.
The disclosures, contained in previously secret US diplomatic dispatches released by the WikiLeaks website, show American officials pressed the Egyptian government to release other dissidents who had been detained by the police.
Mr Mubarak, facing the biggest challenge to his authority in his 31 years in power, ordered the army on to the streets of Cairo yesterday as rioting erupted across Egypt.
Tens of thousands of anti-government protesters took to the streets in open defiance of a curfew. An explosion rocked the centre of Cairo as thousands defied orders to return to their homes. As the violence escalated, flames could be seen near the headquarters of the governing National Democratic Party.
Police fired rubber bullets and used tear gas and water cannon in an attempt to disperse the crowds.
At least five people were killed in Cairo alone yesterday and 870 injured, several with bullet wounds. Mohamed ElBaradei, the pro-reform leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner, was placed under house arrest after returning to Egypt to join the dissidents. Riots also took place in Suez, Alexandria and other major cities across the country.
William Hague, the Foreign Secretary, urged the Egyptian government to heed the “legitimate demands of protesters”. Hillary Clinton, the US Secretary of State, said she was “deeply concerned about the use of force” to quell the protests.
In an interview for the American news channel CNN, to be broadcast tomorrow, David Cameron said: “I think what we need is reform in Egypt. I mean, we support reform and progress in the greater strengthening of the democracy and civil rights and the rule of law.”
The US government has previously been a supporter of Mr Mubarak’s regime. But the leaked documents show the extent to which America was offering support to pro-democracy activists in Egypt while publicly praising Mr Mubarak as an important ally in the Middle East.
In a secret diplomatic dispatch, sent on December 30 2008, Margaret Scobey, the US Ambassador to Cairo, recorded that opposition groups had allegedly drawn up secret plans for “regime change” to take place before elections, scheduled for September this year.
The memo, which Ambassador Scobey sent to the US Secretary of State in Washington DC, was marked “confidential” and headed: “April 6 activist on his US visit and regime change in Egypt.”
It said the activist claimed “several opposition forces” had “agreed to support an unwritten plan for a transition to a parliamentary democracy, involving a weakened presidency and an empowered prime minister and parliament, before the scheduled 2011 presidential elections”. The embassy’s source said the plan was “so sensitive it cannot be written down”.
Ambassador Scobey questioned whether such an “unrealistic” plot could work, or ever even existed. However, the documents showed that the activist had been approached by US diplomats and received extensive support for his pro-democracy campaign from officials in Washington. The embassy helped the campaigner attend a “summit” for youth activists in New York, which was organised by the US State Department.
Cairo embassy officials warned Washington that the activist’s identity must be kept secret because he could face “retribution” when he returned to Egypt. He had already allegedly been tortured for three days by Egyptian state security after he was arrested for taking part in a protest some years earlier.
The protests in Egypt are being driven by the April 6 youth movement, a group on Facebook that has attracted mainly young and educated members opposed to Mr Mubarak. The group has about 70,000 members and uses social networking sites to orchestrate protests and report on their activities.
The documents released by WikiLeaks reveal US Embassy officials were in regular contact with the activist throughout 2008 and 2009, considering him one of their most reliable sources for information about human rights abuses.
"Impact: Freedom House’s effort to empower a new generation of advocates has yielded tangible results and the New Generation program in Egypt has gained prominence both locally and internationally. Egyptian visiting fellows from all civil society groups received unprecedented attention and recognition, including meetings in Washington with US Secretary of State, the National Security Advisor, and prominent members of Congress. In the words of Condoleezza Rice, the fellows represent the "hope for the future of Egypt."
Freedom House fellows acquired skills in civic mobilization, leadership, and strategic planning, and benefit from networking opportunities through interaction with Washington-based donors, international organizations and the media. After returning to Egypt, the fellows received small grants to implement innovative initiatives such as advocating for political reform through Facebook and SMS messaging."
http://www.facebook.com/pages/New-Generation-of-Advocates-Program-at-Freedom-House/224344410230?v=info
https://www.blue-umbrella.org/node/242
http://ned.org/where-we-work/middle-east-and-northern-africa/egypt
http://www.nonviolent-conflict.org/index.php/about-icnc
Egypt’s "Facebook Revolution", Kefaya, and the struggle for democracy and good governance (2008-ongoing)
http://www.nonviolent-conflict.org/images/stories/pdfs/mansour_egypt.pdf
http://www.freedomhouse.org/template.cfm?page=66&program=84
http://www.freedomhouse.org/template.cfm?page=115&program=84&item=87
http://www.medregion.mepi.state.gov/funding-civil-society-cairo2.html
https://www.blue-umbrella.org/node/248
incarcerated
01-30-2011, 13:36
Last night on FOX, Geraldo Rivera interviewed people of Egyptian origin and descent now living in the US who had been demonstrating locally. These people reported that they were in some contact with family and friends in Egypt, and that “We want the Brotherhood!” was being chanted in the streets of Cairo.
http://www.stratfor.com/analysis/20110129-the-egyptian-unrest-a-special-report
….After three decades of Mubarak rule, a window of opportunity has opened for various political forces — from the moderate to the extreme — that preferred to keep the spotlight on the liberal face of the demonstrations while they maneuver from behind. As the Iranian Revolution of 1979 taught, the ideology and composition of protesters can wind up having very little to do with the political forces that end up in power. Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood (MB) understands well the concerns the United States, Israel and others share over a political vacuum in Cairo being filled by Islamists. The MB so far is proceeding cautiously, taking care to help sustain the demonstrations by relying on the MB’s well-established social services to provide food and aid to the protesters. It simultaneously is calling for elections that would politically enable the MB. With Egypt in a state of crisis and the armed forces stepping in to manage that crisis, however, elections are nowhere near assured. What is now in question is what groups like the Muslim Brotherhood and others are considering should they fear that their historic opportunity could be slipping….
The important thing to remember is that the Egyptian military, since the founding of the modern republic in 1952, has been the guarantor of regime stability. Over the past several decades, the military has allowed former military commanders to form civilian institutions to take the lead in matters of political governance but never has relinquished its rights to the state….
Last night on FOX, Geraldo Rivera interviewed people of Egyptian origin and descent now living in the US who had been demonstrating locally. These people reported that they were in some contact with family and friends in Egypt, and that “We want the Brotherhood!” was being chanted in the streets of Cairo.
I watched this live this morning - she claims they're shouting "Illigetimate" in reference to Mubarak's position and a call for the regime to end. The drive from the airport into Cairo during curfew and the Army presence are interesting.
http://abcnews.go.com/ThisWeek/video/amanpour-reports-live-egypt-12797067
Richard :munchin
Last night on FOX, Geraldo Rivera interviewed people of Egyptian origin and descent now living in the US who had been demonstrating locally. These people reported that they were in some contact with family and friends in Egypt, and that “We want the Brotherhood!” was being chanted in the streets of Cairo.
Something to watch. Depending on the political factions to take power - look for the military leadership to start having a major turnover - some not by choice.
Nothing like that will make our national news but Israel and our intel folks will be keeping a close eye on it.
incarcerated
01-30-2011, 17:33
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hkXdfZPq-0a1ZMaY73CxaDMt-r_A?docId=CNG.39f39538caefa02425961c94edf9bff7.b
Israeli analysts fear Islamic takeover in Egypt
By Steve Weizman (AFP) – 7 hours ago
JERUSALEM — Israel's leaders anxiously watched events in Egypt on Sunday as analysts warned that if a new leadership was dominated by Islamists it could threaten 30 years of peace between the two neighbours....
Israel's two top-selling dailies ran the same banner headline on their front pages on Sunday, proclaiming "A New Middle East" and raising the spectre of Islamic fundamentalists filling the political vacuum left by the expected end of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak's autocratic rule.
"In this kind of chaotic situation, the advantage of groups like the Muslim Brotherhood is that they are the most organised and also the most resolute," said Benjamin Miller, a Haifa University expert on Middle East conflicts and security.
Even though Muslim Brotherhood activists had not so far been prominent in the demonstrations, the group had the advantage of having a widespread political infrastructure already in place, he said....
I have a good friend stationed in the embassy in Cairo. Just got a message from her on Facebook so we know she is safe. She said it is a warzone. Prayers out to keep her safe.
Definitely prayers out for your friend.
incarcerated
01-30-2011, 21:14
How to use Democracy against the West and Western allies:
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-muslim-brotherhood-20110131,0,5283199.story
Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood mutes its religious message for protests
The Islamist opposition group backs Mohamed ElBaradei, a secularist with Western democratic principles. Longer term, it's unclear how its ideology will fit in a new Egypt.
By Jeffrey Fleishman, Los Angeles Times
January 30, 2011, 6:01 p.m.
Reporting from Cairo — The medical students marched and sweated in protest.
"The fear is broken," yelled Bahaa Mohammed. "We want freedom."
"And Islam," said his friend. "We need Islam."
"Yes," said Mohammed, hushing the young man. "But first freedom and the will of the people."
The exchange in the streets of Cairo between the students, both members of Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood, is a telling glimpse into the Arab world's largest Islamic organization as it joins other opposition groups seeking to overthrow President Hosni Mubarak. The Brotherhood is muting its religious message amid a popular revolt that is not driven by Islam or politics.
The organization's strategy became more apparent Sunday when it announced support for opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Mohamed ElBaradei as a transitional president if the Mubarak government is toppled. The move was recognition that ElBaradei, a secularist with Western democratic principles, is the most potent symbol for change in a nation desperate for fresh voices.
"The revolution does not belong to any one group," said Esam Shosha, a movement member. "We are one country. It's not just about the Brotherhood, at least not now; it's about all Egyptians."
Whether that attitude survives in a post-Mubarak era is uncertain, but it suggests that after a week of uprisings the Brotherhood understands the emerging dynamics of Egypt. The organization, which runs religious and social programs across the country, believes that backing ElBaradei for now is the best chance to further its political ambitions.
"They don't want to appear as if they're using this revolt to seize power," said Wahid Abdul Magid, an analyst at the Al Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies in Cairo. "What they want is free and fair elections to allow them to take power transparently. This would show their real popularity in the Egyptian street."
....It also asked its young rank and file to keep diaries of their thoughts on the gathering revolt. Their involvement in Tuesday's protest drew accusations from Mubarak's security forces that the Brotherhood was instigating violence and sedition. But by Friday, the organization, calculating that the president was vulnerable, sent thousands of its young and old members marching through Cairo, Suez and other cities.
"It was a revolution that started with young people with no political agenda. It was important for the Brotherhood to send its youth," said group member Shosha, 31, whose cellphone holds videos of Egyptians who were beaten and shot during protests. "Our young members are probably more educated and more knowledgeable in demonstrations and how to handle police tactics."
...."A Christian Copt or a woman cannot be president of a Muslim nation," said Shosha, a broad-shouldered man, who sat in the Brotherhood's headquarters in Cairo watching the protests on TV. "This is a religious point, not a political one. But it will be the Muslim leader's role to protect the rights of Copts and women."
Shosha said he was 12 when he befriended older Brotherhood members at a neighborhood mosque. Their message was to suffuse all aspects of life — job, family, politics — with Islam.
"Then I grew up and entered university, and I started thinking if the Brotherhood only wanted power it wouldn't have lasted so long after all the state oppression against it since 1950s," said Shosha. "It's still here doing the work of God."
alright4u
01-30-2011, 23:47
Wow... this should be... interesting.
If Mubarak's government collapses it's a good thing for the cause of freedom, but (likely) bad for the foreign policy of the US.
I have a hard time even imagining the Muslim Brotherhood and pals will grant freedom.
silentreader
01-31-2011, 00:45
I have a hard time even imagining the Muslim Brotherhood and pals will grant freedom.
Perhaps not, and two years ago I would have thought that they were the only ones organized enough in Egyptian politics to replace Mubarak. Now however, it looks like ElBaradei is positioned to lead the opposition. (http://www.foxnews.com/world/2011/01/30/egypts-opposition-unites-elbaradei/) While the MB will undoubtedly emerge stronger from the turmoil, they seem to be willing to play ball in the framework of an open society for now. Keep in mind that the Egyptian army is still the most powerful faction in the country and it is extremely unlikely to allow whole-sale rule by the Brotherhood.
Speaking of the Egyptian Army, this is an interesting article about the role of Arab armies in these uprisings. (http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2011/01/28/just_whose_side_are_arab_armies_on_anyway?page=0,0 )
NoRoadtrippin
01-31-2011, 08:52
The MFO detail continues. That may be one thing that ends depending on who takes over.
Even the Prez may get a little bent out of shape over the launching of rockets over the heads of US outposts - and the new government could throw out the whole agreement to begin with.
Illinois is over there at the moment. Got some friends from BOLC in that crowd potentially.
http://www.armytimes.com/news/2011/01/ap-guard-illinois-troops-not-close-to-egypt-chaos-012911/
silentreader
01-31-2011, 15:50
The Egyptian army will not fire on protesters. (http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/01/world/middleeast/01egypt.html?hp)
I have a good friend stationed in the embassy in Cairo. Just got a message from her on Facebook so we know she is safe. She said it is a warzone. Prayers out to keep her safe.
Prayers out.
I have a good friend stationed in the embassy in Cairo. Just got a message from her on Facebook so we know she is safe. She said it is a warzone. Prayers out to keep her safe.
Prayers Out
The Egyptian army will not fire on protesters.
Prayers Out
New message from my friend that says things are still very fluid but neighborhood watches have been set up throughout the city to combat the thugs trying to take advantage of the situation. Also she has high praise for the Egyptian army and their handling of the situation.
incarcerated
01-31-2011, 23:17
New message from my friend that says things are still very fluid but neighborhood watches have been set up throughout the city to combat the thugs trying to take advantage of the situation. Also she has high praise for the Egyptian army and their handling of the situation.
Please keep us posted.
Prayers out.
http://www.foxnews.com/world/2011/02/01/jordans-king-abdullah-dissolves-government/
Jordan's King Abdullah Dissolves Government
Jordan's King Abdullah has dissolved his country's government in wake of protests.
The king has asked his former ex-military adviser Marouf Bakhit to form a new cabinet, an official told Reuters.
The official also told Reuters that King Abdullah has accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Samir Rifai.
http://www.jpost.com/Headlines/Article.aspx?id=206130
A leading member of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt told the Arabic-language Iranian news network Al-Alam on Monday that he would like to see the Egyptian people prepare for war against Israel, according to the Hebrew-language business newspaper Calcalist.
Muhammad Ghannem reportedly told Al- Alam that the Suez Canal should be closed immediately, and that the flow of gas from Egypt to Israel should cease “in order to bring about the downfall of the Mubarak regime.” He added that “the people should be prepared for war against Israel,” saying the world should understand that “the Egyptian people are prepared for anything to get rid of this regime.”
Ghannem praised Egyptian soldiers deployed by President Hosni Mubarak to Egyptian cities, saying they “would not kill their brothers.” He added that Washington was forced to abandon plans to help Mubarak stay in power after “seeing millions head for the streets.”
http://af.reuters.com/article/egyptNews/idAFHAF13756420110201
Iran says Egypt unrest echoes its 1979 Islamic revolution
* Iran opposition says it inspired Egyptian protests
* Analysts say Mubarak's fall would benefit Iran
* Tehran taunts Washington for wavering over Egypt
TEHRAN, Feb 1 (Reuters) - Iran said on Monday it hopes mass anti-government protests in Egypt will lead to the emergence of a more Islamic Middle East that will stand up to its enemies, Israel and the United States.
The Islamic Republic, locked in a standoff with the West over its nuclear programme, sees gains for its own geopolitical influence in the region if Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, a key U.S. and Israeli ally, is swept aside.
But Iranian opposition politicians, encouraged by scenes of "people power" in Tunis and Cairo, are hoping they will prompt Tehran's hardline rulers to allow greater freedom at home. Continued...
Snip
Dozer523
02-01-2011, 09:16
TEHRAN, Feb 1 (Reuters) - Iran said on Monday it hopes mass anti-government protests in Egypt will lead to the emergence of a more Islamic Middle East that will stand up to its enemies, Israel and the United States.
Iran better hope this doesn't send it's own people BACK into the streets like after the last elections were stolen.
I hope this is the begining of the common people saying they are sick of extreme policies -- whether that is rabid anti-Isreal; Dark Ages Religious practices or elected officials that stay in power for decades.
I also hope for a lottery win
DaveMatteson
02-01-2011, 11:52
Iran better hope this doesn't send it's own people BACK into the streets like after the last elections were stolen.
Well, an interesting fact is they just hung an Iranian-Dutch woman for opposing the elections and participating in the protests.
The official Iranian stance is that she was a drug smuggler. He first charge was that she was a spy. When that was questioned by the Dutch Government they added drugs and several other things to the charges. Dutch authorities were still trying to work out legal issues when she was hung. Supposedly she was carrying 40 pounds of cocaine.
ZonieDiver
02-01-2011, 12:04
Well, an interesting fact is they just hung an Iranian-Dutch woman for opposing the elections and participating in the protests.
The official Iranian stance is that she was a drug smuggler. He first charge was that she was a spy. When that was questioned by the Dutch Government they added drugs and several other things to the charges. Dutch authorities were still trying to work out legal issues when she was hung. Supposedly she was carrying 40 pounds of cocaine.
Iran today is kind of like the scene in "Casablanca" where Inspector Renault informs Victor Laslo that Ugarte is dead and that he and Major Strasser are trying to decide if Ugarte committed suicide or was killed trying to escape!
DaveMatteson
02-01-2011, 12:10
Iran today is kind of like the scene in "Casablanca" where Inspector Renault informs Victor Laslo that Ugarte is dead and that he and Major Strasser are trying to decide if Ugarte committed suicide or was killed trying to escape!
I think that is one of the best anologies I have ever heard for the state of affairs in Iran...Sadly, Iranians are controlled by 12 organ grinders and one monkey.