Amid Rising Threats, Ousted Egypt Govt’s Supporters May Scrap Protests

Junta to Charge Protest Leaders With 'Incitement'

Warnings from Egypt’s military junta that their patience is “running out” with public protests by supporters of the ousted civilian government seem to be having their desired effect, with signs that the remaining protest leaders are prepared to give in.

Reports now say that there are considerations for a deal under which President Mohammed Morsi, who has been held incommunicado by the military for a month, would be sent into exile in return for an end to protests and a televised resignation to hand power to the military.

Two major massacres of civilian protesters and the associated international ambivalence appears to have convinced many that there is simply too much power aligned against them. US endorsements of the coup have certainly bolstered that view.

Absent a deal, the junta is also preparing a number of trials against leaders of the ousted ruling party for “inciting murder” by organizing protests against the junta. Even if the threats finally force people off the streets, resentment over the coup, and the international endorsements of it are likely to linger for a long time.

Author: Jason Ditz

Jason Ditz is Senior Editor for Antiwar.com. He has 20 years of experience in foreign policy research and his work has appeared in The American Conservative, Responsible Statecraft, Forbes, Toronto Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Providence Journal, Washington Times, and the Detroit Free Press.