Egyptian Military Rules Out Attacking Protesters
Apparent Inability to Massacre Protesters Leaves Mubarak Running Out of Options
One of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak’s last options seems to have fallen through today, with spokesmen for the Egyptian military ruling out attacking civilian protesters on the streets of the nation’s major cities.
Assuming the pledge holds, this would mean Mubarak no longer has the option of ordering wholesale massacres, above and beyond those the nation’s police are able to accomplish, in attempting to stifle the growing dissent across the nation.
Indeed, with the number of protests in the streets growing all the time, it appears as if the Mubarak government is growing resigned to the ability that they will have to negotiate with the opposition and make sweeping reforms.
Even this doesn’t appear to be a recipe for success, as large numbers of the protesters are insisting on the removal of Mubarak as a major condition for the end of the rallies. Though there seems to be some international determination to keep Mubarak in charge, it appears the protesters will inevitably win out.
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John_Mohammad
January 31st, 2011 at 11:52 pm
I applaud the Egyptian military for their hands-off approach to this mess. Firing on their countrymen is not only a dirty business, but it's immoral and certainly not within Christian, Jewish, or Muslim teachings. I have a new respect for the Egyptian General Staff for their restraint and cognizance of what the end-game of this is going to be. The US may not like their puppet being deposed, but the world can see what true democracy looks like, with the power in the hands of the people and not the elites. The street controls Egypt's destiny now, insha'Allah the new government- whatever form it takes- will rule with benevolence and justice.
Bill Buppert
February 1st, 2011 at 8:52 am
It proves once again that cops are a far greater threat to liberty than any military forces historically.
pendulum
February 1st, 2011 at 9:54 am
why would they attack their families and friends on the street saying what they themselves think
@Jared581
February 1st, 2011 at 6:46 pm
This is optimistic news and is something that I hope can be repeated in other countries. It is also a dictatorship's worst nightmare and free peoples' greatest ally.
Some armed forces contain many idealists who actually do care about their citizens' rights and safety than a body of secret police. What a concept!