Cairo: A confrontation appeared imminent
between Egypt`s ruling military and activists linked to the
so-called April 6 movement, with the former accusing the pro
democracy group of trying to "drive a wedge" between the army
and the people after protesters marched to the defence
headquarters to push for a quicker change.
The Supreme Council of Armed Forces posted a statement
yesterday on its official Facebook page, contending that the
group that helped launch the anti-Hosni Mubarak uprising, had
a hidden "agenda".
The terms the statement used to describe the movement
were the similar to what the former regime used to describe
the people who had taken to streets in January to seek the
ouster of former president Mubarak.
On this Friday, like every week, a rally was held in
Tahrir Square to call for swift justice for officers who
killed Egyptian citizens during the January uprising, while
similar protests were held in other parts of Cairo to support
the SCAF and to honour the ousted president.
Other protests were held in different governorates in
support of the Tahrir square protesters.
By night, social networking sites were abuzz with
reports that protesters in Alexandira and Suez were attacked
by military police and as a response thousands had decided to
march to the headquarters of the SCAF in Cairo on the
anniversary of the 1952 Egyptian revolution.
Military police fired shots in the air to disperse the
approaching crowds and later the SCAF issued the statement
accusing the 6 April movement of trying to "drive a wedge"
between the army and the people.
SCAF then issued another statement thanking honourable
Egyptians who had formed human shields to buffer an area
between the protestors and the SCAF headquarters.
A close analysis of the social network media shows
Egyptians spilt into two groups. While one section supports
the army and its actions in this critical phase for Egypt, the
other is appalled by the developments especially the tactics
of using the same discourse used during the former regime
describing certain groups as "traitors".
The head of SCAF is expected to deliver a speech today
to mark the anniversary of the 1952 revolution. It is to be
seen if he mentions yesterday`s incidents.
PTI
