War On Terror News

Iran makes inroads into Egypt

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is in Egypt, where his arrival Tuesday made him the first Iranian leader to visit the country since Iran's 1979 Islamist revolution.

Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi greeted Ahmadinejad as he stepped off his plane at Cairo airport.

The Iranian president will meet with Egyptian officials and attend a summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, which begins Wednesday in Cairo.

Relations between Egypt and Iran deteriorated following the 1979 Iranian revolution and Egypt's peace agreement with Israel, but have improved since the Islamists Muslim Brotherhood's Morsi took office last year. VoA.

Related articles

Iran squashes protests over devalued currency

Iran Marks 2 yr Anniversary of State Brutality w/ State Brutality

Morsi adds more Islamists to Egypt's Government

Egypt's Islamist President Mohamed Morsi has expanded the number of Muslim Brotherhood ministers in his Cabinet as part of a reshuffle.

Ten Egyptian ministers were sworn in on Sunday, three of them members of Mr. Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood movement. A Brotherhood spokesman said the reshuffle increases the number of Brotherhood Cabinet ministers from five to eight.

Mr. Morsi also appointed a Brotherhood-allied expert in Islamic finance as the new finance minister. El-Morsi Hegazy replaces former finance minister Mumtaz el-Said, whom the Brotherhood had accused of being too close to the Egyptian military, which ruled the country for more than a year before handing power to Mr. Morsi in June.

In another key appointment, Mr. Morsi named a new interior minister, Mohammed Ibrahim, to replace Ahmed Gamal Eddin, who was criticized for his handling of last month's violent street protests for and against Egypt's new Islamist-backed constitution.

Mr. Morsi promised a Cabinet reshuffle last month as part of a plan to restore confidence in the economy, which has seen a slump in foreign tourism and investment due to political instability since the 2011 ouster of longtime president Hosni Mubarak in a popular uprising.

Egypt also has been suffering a currency crisis that has seen the Egyptian pound weaken to eight-year lows against the dollar. Egypt's central bank has spent billions of dollars to support the value of the pound since 2011, leaving its foreign reserves at what it calls a “critical” level. In a report Sunday, the central bank said Egypt's foreign reserves were just above $15 billion in December, a slight decline from the previous month.  VoA.

Related articles

Islamist declared President of Egypt

Obama/Hillary offer Islamist Egyptian government $1 Billion in economic aid

Egypt cabinet reshuffle before IMF talks

Morsi appoints 90 to Egyptian Parliament

Egypt's upper house of parliament has convened for its first session since President Mohamed Morsi signed a decree putting the controversial new Islamist constitution into effect.

The Shura Council met on Wednesday to swear in 90 new members appointed by Mr. Morsi. The council is also expected to begin setting the framework for elections in the lower of house of parliament within the next two months.

Mr. Morsi signed the decree late Tuesday, after the election commission said almost 64 percent of voters had backed the constitution in this month's polling.

Liberal and secularist-led opposition groups have vowed to continue protests against the measure.

They note their interests were not represented when the draft constitution was formulated.  They point out the document ignores the rights of women.  VoA.

The Islamist constitution makes Egyptian law subservient to Sharia Law.

Islamists claim Constitutional victory in Egypt

Egypt's Islamist Muslim Brotherhood says voters have approved the country's new controversial constitution.

The Brotherhood said about 64 percent of the voters cast a “yes” ballot for the charter over two days of voting. The first round was held on December 15 and a second round took place Saturday.  Voter turnout was reported to be only about 32 percent.

If the preliminary outcome is confirmed in the coming days, a parliamentary election is to take place in two months.

The Muslim Brotherhood, the party of Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi, supports the new constitution. However, members of Egypt's liberal, secular and Christian opposition note it will erode civil liberties, because it is based in Sharia law and has no mention of women's rights.

A largely Islamist committee approved the draft constitution last month after ignoring liberal and Christian members.

Late Saturday, Mr. Morsi is reported to have announced the names of 90 new members he has appointed to the upper house of parliament.  The list is claimed to include liberals and other non-Islamists as a means to continue dialogue among the factions.

Violent protests and clashes led up the to referendum vote.  Several people were killed and many others wounded in Cairo earlier this month.

Related articles

Muslim Brotherhood to Write New Egyptian Constitution

Secularists decry legitimacy of Islamist Constitution vote in Egypt

Islamist Constitution vote in Egypt sparks clashes

Islamist Constitution vote in Egypt sparks clashes

Police have fired tear gas at clashing protesters in Egypt's northern city of Alexandria on the eve of a second day of polling on a controversial constitutional referendum.

Anti-constitution protesters and Islamists threw stones at one another on Friday, prompting riot police to fire tear gas to separate them. There was no immediate word on possible injuries.

Thousands of Egyptians poured onto streets in Alexandria earlier in the day, waving flags and chanting as they marched through the city. Islamists had called for mass rallies before Saturday's second leg of voting on the proposed constitution.

The measure has the support of President Mohamed Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood and Salafist groups. However, members of the liberal, secular and Christian opposition note it will erode civil liberties because it increases the role of Islamist Sharia law and does not include women's rights.

The proposal was approved by an Islamist committee last month as liberal and Christian members walked out, due to their positions being ignored.

Last Friday, a well-known ultraconservative Salifi cleric  was trapped inside of an Alexandria mosque for hours while supporters and opponents of the constitution clashed outside. The cleric had angered some worshippers when he voiced support for the referendum.

The remaining provinces vote will on the referendum on Saturday, a week after voters in Cairo, Alexandria and a group of other provinces cast ballots.

Unofficial results from the first day of polling "show almost 57-percent of voters 'approved' the measure." VoA.

Related articles

Muslim Brotherhood to Write New Egyptian Constitution

Stone throwing Egyptians clash over Islamist constitution

1st Round of voting on Egyptian Islamist Constitution over

Egypt to hold referendum on Islamist constitution

Secularists decry legitimacy of Islamist Constitution vote in Egypt

Egyptian rights groups say the first round of a referendum on an Islamist-backed constitution was marred by widespread violations and should be re-staged.

The coalition of seven groups made the call as the Muslim Brotherhood backers of President Mohamed Morsi claimed victory in Saturday's vote, saying unofficial tallies showed 56-percent approval of the draft constitution.

The rights groups complained that some voters were improperly turned away and some people illegally served as polling station monitors in place of judges. Prominent Egyptian opposition figure Mohammed ElBaradei joined the criticism on Twitter, posting a message saying irregularities were “flagrant,” and turnout was “low.”

The Muslim Brotherhood said turnout was about one-third of the 26 million people eligible to vote on Saturday. The first-round of the referendum was held in 10 of Egypt's 27 regions, including the two main cities of Cairo and Alexandria. A second-round will be held next Saturday in Egypt's remaining provinces, most of which are rural and religiously conservative, which opens the door for Islamists to cast multiple votes.

Some observers expect the second-round to boost the overall “yes” vote for the draft constitution, which requires only a simple majority for passage.

Egypt's main liberal opposition coalition, the National Salvation Front, said Sunday it will not accept any unofficial referendum results.

Saturday's vote was not without violence, with more than 100,000 Egyptian troops deployed to prevent violence. But as the polls closed, some Islamists assaulted the Cairo offices of a liberal newspaper affiliated to the opposition Wafd party.

Opposition activists note the constitution will erode civil liberties because it rests on the role of Islamist Sharia law and does not mention women's rights. An Islamist-dominated constituent assembly drafted the document last month after liberal and Christian members walked out, complaining they were being ignored.

Islamist supporters of the draft constitution say its passage in a referendum is an important step toward Egypt's transition to "democracy," almost two years after a popular uprising toppled longtime President Hosni Mubarak.

The controversy over the constitution sparked rival mass protests by opposition and Islamist activists earlier this month. At least eight people were killed in street battles among demonstrators. VoA.

Related articles

Egypt to hold referendum on Islamist constitution

1st Round of voting on Egyptian Islamist Constitution over

Muslim Brotherhood to Write New Egyptian Constitution

Stone throwing Egyptians clash over Islamist constitution

1st Round of voting on Egyptian Islamist Constitution over

The polls have closed in the first round of voting in a referendum on Egypt's controversial new constitution.

Half of Egypt's eligible voters cast ballots Saturday on the draft constitution that has sparked weeks of violence and protests.

Men and women are voting separately at schools in Cairo and nine other provinces.  President Mohamed Morsi has already cast his vote.

Long lines outside polling stations prompted election officials to extend the vote by four hours. 

On Saturday, an opposition coalition  accused the Muslim Brotherhood, which supports the proposed constitution, of rigging the vote.  Mr. Morsi is a member of the Muslim Brotherhood.

The rest of the country will vote next Saturday .  The vote has been scattered over two consecutive Saturdays "due to a boycott by a majority of the judiciary," which must oversee the vote by law.

It is not clear when final results will be announced.

Members of the liberal, secular and Christian opposition note the constitution will erode civil liberties because it rests on Islamist Sharia law and does not mention women's rights.

Officials say they have deployed 120,000 soldiers to protect polling stations.

Clashes broke out Friday among stone-throwing demonstrators protesting the draft constitution near a mosque in the port city of Alexandria, while police fired tear gas.  Medical workers say 15 people were injured.

A largely Islamist committee approved the document last month.

Related articles

Muslim Brotherhood to Write New Egyptian Constitution

Islamist assembly approves draft of Egyptian Constitution

Stone throwing Egyptians clash over Islamist constitution

Egyptian vote on constitution underway

Stone throwing Egyptians clash over Islamist constitution

Clashes have broken out in the Egyptian city of Alexandria between supporters and opponents of the country's new constitution, one day before the highly contentious referendum on the document.

Witnesses say fighting between stone-throwing protesters began Friday near a mosque in Alexandria, the country's second largest city. Several cars were set on fire.  There was no immediate word on injuries.

In Cairo and other cities, thousands of flag-waving activists turned out for rival rallies.  Such gatherings have been generally "peaceful," killing 8 Egyptians in the last week. 

The proposed constitution has the support of President Mohamed Morsi's Islamist Muslim Brotherhood and Salafist groups.

However, members of liberal, secular and Christian opposition note it will erode civil liberties because it boosts the role of Islamist Sharia law and does not mention women's rights.

An Islamist committee approved the document last month after minority liberal and Christian members walked out, stating they had been ignored by the Islamist body writing the constitution.

Last week, clashes between supporters and opponents left eight people dead and hundreds injured.

Polls open on Saturday in Cairo, Alexandria and a group of other provinces. The rest of the country will vote on December 22.

Egyptians living overseas began casting their ballots earlier this week.

Meanwhile, the United Nations Working Group has urged Egyptian officials to review the document to ensure that in conforms to international laws on equality and women's rights.

In a Friday statement, independent expert Kamala Chandrakirana said “key opportunities so far has been missed.”   The group says the final draft of the constitution does not include adequate provisions to protect against gender discrimination. VoA.

The Muslim Brotherhood's Morsi came to power after Obama pressured his predecessor out of office and pressed for elections in Egypt before secularists could organize political powers.  On 9/11/2012, Egyptian security forces delayed response led to the US Embassy being overrun, the US Flag desecrated, and the black flag of Al-Qaeda being raised over it.  In neighboring Libya, the US Consulate in Benghazi was also overran, resulting in the deaths of the US Ambassador, and three Americans working for the US government.

Full text of proposed Islamist Constitution of Egypt

Related articles

MB loyalists clash with Egyptian counter-govt forces in Cairo

Muslim Brotherhood to Write New Egyptian Constitution

Egyptian protesters clash over draft charter

Egyptian Women Fear Loss of Rights in Islamist Futures

Gunmen wound 9 Egyptian protestors

Middle East News, 06 December, 2011

Gunmen wound 9 Egyptian protestors

Masked gunmen have fired at protesters camping in the Egyptian capital, wounding nine people as supporters and opponents of President Mohamed Morsi prepare for rival mass rallies.

Officials and witnesses say the unknown gunmen shot the protesters in Cairo's Tahrir Square early Tuesday.  By midday the square was calm, with tents remaining in the center and the number of people in the area slowly growing.

Opposition leaders are pressuring Mr. Morsi to cancel a constitutional referendum scheduled for Saturday.

The opposition National Salvation Front, led by liberals including Mohamed ElBaradei and Amr Moussa, has called on its supporters to march on the presidential palace in Cairo Tuesday.  They say the draft constitution does not properly represent the Egyptian people.

But Mr. Morsi has refused to back down. On Monday, he gave the military authority to arrest civilians as part of a decree to help maintain security for the referendum.  The order tasks the military with supporting police to protect “vital institutions.”  There was a heavy military presence in Cairo ahead of the planned rallies.

Many secular Egyptians fear the draft constitution will erode civil liberties because it boosts the role of Islamic law and makes no specific mention of women's rights. A constituent assembly dominated by Islamists approved the document last month after liberal and Christian members walked out, complaining that their voices were being ignored.

Some observers say the draft constitution has a good chance of being approved because Mr. Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood movement has a superior ability to mobilize supporters to vote.

Mr. Morsi made a concession to the opposition on Saturday by canceling parts of a November 22 decree that granted himself sweeping powers. He made the announcement after a day of talks with other political figures. Most opposition groups boycotted the dialogue.

Mr. Morsi also said that if the draft constitution is rejected in Saturday's referendum, he will call elections for a new constituent assembly to draft another charter that will be put to a popular vote.

Egyptian troops set up concrete barriers outside the presidential palace Sunday to prevent rival groups of liberals and Islamists from holding further rallies at the site. Street battles between the two sides have killed seven people in the capital in recent days. VoA.

Related articles

Islamist assembly approves draft of Egyptian Constitution

Egypt to hold referendum on Islamist constitution

Rival protests in Cairo are expected

2012 Egyptian Islamist Constitution - full text

The proposed constitution of Egypt is long (approximately 15,000 words), with governmental provisions mixed with ideological and religious philosophies.  I have been searching for the full text since it was announced to have been proposed.  I finally found it here.  The full text follows the break while some key provisions are:

Article 81: rights and freedoms shall be practiced in a manner not conflicting with the principles pertaining to State and society

Article 219: The principles of Islamic Sharia include general evidence, foundational rules, rules of jurisprudence, and credible sources accepted in Sunni doctrines and by the larger community.

Principle Ten —
 Arab unity is a call of history and of the future, and a demand of destiny. Such unity is to be reinforced through the integration and fraternity with countries of the Nile Valley and of the Muslim world,....

Article 1: The Egyptian people are part of the Arab and Islamic nations,

Article 2: Islam is the religion of the state and Arabic its official language. Principles of Islamic Sharia are the principal source of legislation.

Article 4: Al-Azhar is an encompassing independent Islamic institution, with exclusive autonomy over its own affairs, responsible for preaching Islam, theology and the Arabic language in Egypt and the world. Al-Azhar Senior Scholars are to be consulted in matters pertaining to Islamic law.

Principle Eleven —
 Egypt’s... and Al-Azhar, with its history as a mainstay of national identity, the Arabic language and Islamic Sharia, and as a beacon for moderate enlightened thought.

Article 12: The State shall .. foster the Arabization of education, science and knowledge.

Article 18: All money with no owner belongs to the State.

Article 31: Insulting or showing contempt toward any human being shall be prohibited.

Article 43: The State shall guarantee the freedom to practice religious rites and to establish places of worship for the divine religions, as regulated by law.

Article 44:  Insult or abuse of all religious messengers and prophets shall be prohibited.

Article 54: Addressing public authorities should not be in the name of groups, with the exception of juridical persons.

Article 60: Religious education and national history are core subjects of pre-university education in all its forms.

Article 71: The State shall provide care for children and youth; shall support their development spiritually, morally....

Together, along with other provisions, the Egyptian Constitution (proposed) mean that there are no rights, except those allowed by the government, and as intepreted by Islamist religious figures, as being compliant with Sharia Law.  Caveats, such as "as prescribed by law" mean that while the constitution doesn't specifically require all politicians to be Muslims, the government can impose that stipulation, or a Sharia Judge could, as a tenet of Sharia Law.  And since the constitution requires the spiritual and moral education of all children to fall under its jurisdiction, it can impose an islamization of the Coptic Christians and other religious minorities.

Al-Azhar is an Islamist university created by and associated with the Egyptian Caliphate of the 10th Century.

A problem with such a long and complicated constitution is that everything is caveated, and can be convoluted.

Egyptians protest for Mosri to step down

Egyptian protesters are camped out at Cairo's Tahrir Square and in front of the presidential palace to urge President Mohamed Morsi, of the Muslim Brotherhood, to step down.

Some of the protesters Wednesday have vowed not to leave until Mr. Morsi abolishes a decree he issued last month granting him sweeping powers that place him above review from the judiciary.

On Tuesday, Egyptian riot police fired tear gas outside the presidential palace, where tens of thousands of protesters had gathered as Mr. Morsi was inside conducting business. Police tried to stop the crowd from storming the palace but soon retreated and let the marchers through a barrier and up to the palace walls. Egyptian officials say Mr. Morsi had left the palace during the march.

Many of the marchers chanted the same anti-government slogans used in the uprising that toppled former president Hosni Mubarak.

Protest leaders called Tuesday's march a last warning to Mr. Morsi to back down from his decree. They are also against a draft constitution that was drawn up by Islamists, without input from secularists and liberals.

A referendum on the constitution is set for December 15.

Also Tuesday, 11 Egyptian newspapers suspended publication to protest the draft constitution. Journalists say it puts restrictions on free speech. VoA.

Related articles

Egyptian Security Forces suppress anti-Islamist govt protests

Egyptians protest rise of new Islamist Dictator

Protest in Cairo turn violent

Egypt to hold referendum on Islamist constitution

Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi has set a date of December 15 for a national referendum on a controversial new constitution that has sparked large protests.

Mr. Morsi announced the date after Egypt's Islamist-dominated assembly handed its final draft of the constitution to him late Saturday.

The draft constitution mandates the principles of Sharia law as the main source of legislation.

Earlier Saturday, tens of thousands of Islamists demonstrated across Egypt in support of Mr. Morsi and the draft constitution.  Supporters gathered outside Cairo University and elsewhere, waving Egyptian flags, raising banners and demanding the implementation of what they called “God's law.”

The Muslim Brotherhood called for the rallies.

Also Saturday, thousands of protesters demonstrated in Cairo's Tahrir Square for a ninth straight day against the president and the draft constitution.  They have been voicing opposition to a decree giving Mr. Morsi extraordinary powers.

The Egyptian leader caused a political uproar when he granted himself sweeping new powers that bar the judiciary from challenging his decisions.  Mr. Morsi said Thursday the decree will end immediately once the people vote on the constitution.

Mr. Morsi has been waging a battle with Egypt's judges, many of whom are opponents of the Muslim Brotherhood that dominates Egypt's parliament.  The president is a former member of the once-banned group.

On Sunday, Egypt's top judicial power is expected to rule on whether to dissolve the country's Islamist-led assembly.

In recent days, about 30 Christian, liberal and secular members have boycotted the assembly to protest what they call the hijacking of the process by Islamists loyal to President Morsi.

At least two people have been killed and hundreds injured in Egypt's nationwide demonstrations. VoA.

Related articles

Islamist declared President of Egypt

Egyptian judges to meet Morsi over his new dictatorial powers

Islamist assembly approves draft of Egyptian Constitution

Thousands rally for Egypt president

Islamist assembly approves draft of Egyptian Constitution

Egyptians have gathered in Cairo's Tahrir Square Friday for an eighth straight day of demonstrations against President Mohamed Morsi, as an Islamist-dominated panel approved Egypt's new draft constitution that must now be voted on in a nationwide referendum. 

The panel, boycotted by several Christian and liberal members, retained the principles of Islamic law as the main source of legislation. The group hastily rushed through the approval of the 234 articles in a meeting that lasted from Thursday afternoon until until early Friday.

The assembly moved up the vote in order to pass the draft before Sunday, when Egypt's highest judicial power is expected to rule on whether to dissolve the panel.

Over the past few days, about 30 liberal and Christian members pulled out of the panel to protest what they called the hijacking of the process by Islamists loyal to President Mohamed Morsi, a Muslim Brotherhood member.

The Egyptian leader caused a political uproar last week when he granted himself sweeping new powers that bar the judiciary from challenging his decisions. Mr. Morsi told state television Thursday the decree will end immediately after people vote on the constitution.

Egyptian protesters are angered by the president's power grab and are accusing the president of acting like a dictator.

“Complete national unity against a new dictatorship, worse than the previous one. So we came today and we will meet. There will be marches and they will all call for one demand, which is the fall of the constitutional declaration. And if we are faced with stubbornness or neglect, our sit-in will continue until the departure of Dr. Morsi.''

Two people have been killed and hundreds injured in the nationwide demonstrations.

The Muslim Brotherhood has called a rival nationwide demonstration Saturday in support of the edict.

Meanwhile, the constitutional court vowed to resist what it characterized as an attempt by Mr. Morsi to undermine the court system. Egypt's highest courts went on strike Wednesday in protest of the president's decrees, vowing to stop their work until the constitutional court rules on Mr. Morsi's order granting himself immunity from judicial review.

Mr. Morsi is expected to put the draft constitution to a public referendum as early as mid-December. VoA.

Related articles

Muslim Brotherhood to Write New Egyptian Constitution

Egyptian President declares himself beyond question, constitutionally

Egyptians continue violence against MB's Mosri

Clashes in Cairo continued Wednesday between police and several hundred Egyptian protesters following Tuesday's massive demonstration against Muslim Brotherhood's Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi.

Police fired tear gas into a mob of stone-throwing protesters on a street near the U.S. Embassy in Cairo. Other Egyptian demonstrators staged a sit-in Wednesday at Tahrir Square, the epicenter of protests during last year's ouster of Mr. Morsi's predecessor, Hosni Mubarak.

Mr. Morsi granted himself new powers in a November 22 decree that bars the judiciary from challenging his decisions.

On Monday, Mr. Morsi promised the Supreme Judicial Council that he will restrict his newly self-granted powers to sovereign matters. But there was no definition of the “sovereign matters” over which President Morsi will have absolute power.

Opposition groups have demanded the cancellation of Mr. Morsi's decree and accuse him of trying to assume dictatorial powers. VoA.

Related articles

Muslim Brotherhood's Mosri offers united Islamists against Assad

MB loyalists clash with Egyptian counter-govt forces in Cairo

Egyptian Security Forces suppress anti-Islamist govt protests

Egyptian judges to meet Morsi over his new dictatorial powers

Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi is due to meet with the country's Supreme Judicial Council, as judges try to persuade the president to limit the sweeping powers he granted himself last week.

The decree has sparked protests by opposition activists, who continued to camp out in Cairo's Tahrir Square for a fourth day Monday demanding Mr. Morsi reverse his decision.  Opponents and supporters of the president have called for rival mass rallies in the city on Tuesday.

Mr. Morsi's decree says his decisions cannot be appealed by the courts, and bars Egypt's judiciary from dissolving the upper house of parliament and an assembly drafting a new constitution.  Critics say Mr. Morsi is taking on dictatorial powers like those of his predecessor, Hosni Mubarak, who was ousted from power by a popular uprising.

The president says his decree is “temporary” and will last until Egypt elects a new parliament under a revised constitution.  A spokesman for his ruling Freedom and Justice Party of the Muslim Brotherhood said Sunday the decree will likely last for two months or less, and characterized the move as a bid to “secure stability” in Egypt.

In Washington, influential U.S. Senator John McCain criticized Mr. Morsi's decree as “unacceptable,” in an interview with the television network Fox News.

“We thank Mr. Morsi for his efforts in brokering a cease-fire (between Israel and Hamas), which by the way is incredibly fragile, but this (decree) is not acceptable. This is not what U.S. taxpayers expect. Our dollars (should) be directly related to the progress toward democracy which you (Morsi) promised the people of Egypt when your party and you were elected president.”

The Obama administration has proposed a $1 billion debt relief package for Egypt to help revive its struggling economy. Egypt also has received billions of dollars in U.S. military aid over three decades of close relations.

The U.S. State Department said the Morsi declarations “raise concerns for many Egyptians and for the international community.” It said one of the aspirations of the 2011 revolution was “to ensure that power would not be overly concentrated in the hands of any one person or institution.”

Reformists and liberals fear the Islamist-dominated assembly revising the charter will produce a document with an Islamist slant. VoA.

Related articles

Obama/Hillary offer Islamist Egyptian government $1 Billion in economic aid

Egyptian President declares himself beyond question, constitutionally

Egypt presidency: Morsi decrees 'temporary' - Jerusalem Post

Clashes continue into the night in Egypt

Egyptian Security Forces suppress anti-Islamist govt protests

Egyptian security forces have dispersed protesters in Cairo's Tahrir Square with rounds of tear gas.  Security personnel fired the tear gas Saturday morning on the protesters, many of whom spent the night on the iconic protest hub.

On Friday, protesters in several Egyptian cities attacked the offices of his ruling Muslim Brotherhood, as rival pro- and anti-Islamist government groups demonstrated in Cairo about a new presidential decree.

The protests came a day after Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi put himself above oversight and declared that his decisions cannot be appealed by the courts or any other authority.

In a speech to Islamist supporters Friday at the presidential palace, Mr. Morsi said he wants to move Egypt forward as a stable and safe nation and does not want sole control of the country.

Thousands of opposition supporters gathered in Tahrir Square Friday to protest the president's decision, while police fired tear gas at the crowds.

In the cities of Port Said, Ismailia and Alexandria, crowds of protesters lobbed stones and explosives and set fire to Muslim Brotherhood offices.

Mr. Morsi's decree also bars Egypt's judiciary from dissolving the upper house of parliament and an assembly drafting a new constitution – two bodies dominated by Mr. Morsi's Islamist allies.

In addition, Mr. Morsi has ordered retrials of former officials who used violence in efforts to suppress last year's popular revolution against longtime president Hosni Mubarak.

President Morsi's action comes after he received international praise for mediating a Gaze cease-fire.

The U.S. government has expressed concern about his decrees. VoA.

Related articles

Islamist declared President of Egypt

MB loyalists clash with Egyptian counter-govt forces in Cairo

Egyptians protest rise of new Islamist Dictator

Protests rock Egypt after Morsi seizes sweeping new powers

Fury as Morsi decree 'hijacks revolution' - Irish Examiner

Egyptians protest rise of new Islamist Dictator

Protesters in several Egyptian cities have attacked the offices of the ruling Muslim Brotherhood, as rival pro- and anti-government groups demonstrate in Cairo about a new presidential decree.

The violence comes a day after Egyptian Islamist President Mohamed Morsi, a member of the Muslim Brotherhood, put himself above oversight and declared that his decisions cannot be appealed by the courts or any other authority. In a speech to Islamist supporters Friday at the presidential palace, Mr. Morsi said he wants to move Egypt "forward" as a stable and safe nation and does not want sole control of the country.

Thousands of opposition supporters, including liberal politician Mohamad ElBaradei, former head of the U.N. atomic energy agency, gathered in Tahrir Square on Friday to protest the president's decision, while police fired tear gas at the crowds. El-Baradei has accused the president of making himself a “new pharaoh” by taking on so much power.

In the cities of Port Said, Ismailia, and Alexandria, crowds of protesters lobbed stones and explosives and set fire to Muslim Brotherhood offices. In Alexandria, people were seen tossing papers and other objects out office windows, while a party banner hanging on the wall of a building had been ripped nearly in half. The protesters chanted, “The people want the fall of the regime.” At least a dozen people were injured.

Earlier reports said the Muslim Brotherhood offices in Suez were also burned, but state television later retracted that report.

Mr. Morsi's decree also bars Egypt's judiciary from dissolving the upper house of parliament and an assembly drafting a new constitution — two bodies dominated by Mr. Morsi's Islamist allies.

In addition, Mr. Morsi has ordered retrials of former officials who he accuses of using violence in efforts to suppress last year's revolution against president Hosni Mubarak.

A presidential spokesman said the moves were made "to end a deadlock" in Cairo on forming a new constitution and "moving the country forward."

Egyptian courts have been examining cases demanding the dissolution of both assemblies.  But Mr. Morsi's decree effectively neutralizes the judiciary system in favor of his ruling Muslim Brotherhood.

The announced retrials for those suspected of involvement in the killings of protesters during the 2011 uprising, could include a retrial of former president Hosni Mubarak.  The ousted leader was sentenced to life in prison in June for failing to stop the killings.  But he was acquitted on more serious offenses of corruption and ordering the deadly crackdown, angering many Egyptians.

Other Mubarak-era officials and security personnel also have been acquitted on charges of killing protesters, prompting critics in the new government to accuse the top government prosecutor of mishandling the cases.  In his decree Thursday, Mr. Morsi fired that prosecutor, Abdel-Maguid Mahmoud, a Mubarak appointee who had been in the post for many years.  The decree retroactively limited Mahmoud's term to four years, bringing it to an immediate end.

President Morsi had tried to fire Mahmoud last month but was blocked by the courts.  He named Talat Abdullah as the government's new general prosecutor.  VoA.

Longtime US Ally, Hosni Mubarrak resigned after the Obama Administration urged military leaders to take over in a coup d'etat, if he refused orders by the White House to step aside.  The US Administration then pressed for elections before non-Islamist parties could establish an organization to compete in the elections.

On 9/11/2012, Egyptian Security Forces failed to maintain security in the Embassy District as Islamist party supported protestors invaded the US Embassy there, desecrating the US Flag, and raising the black flag of Al-Qaeda over the Embassy.

Related articles

MB loyalists clash with Egyptian counter-govt forces in Cairo

Egyptians protest Mubarak verdict

Egyptian President declares himself beyond question, constitutionally

Protests rock Egypt after Morsi seizes sweeping new powers

Protests Erupt in Egypt as Morsi Claims Wide-Ranging Powers

Muslim Brotherhood offices torched in anti-Morsi riots

Muslim Brotherhood to Write New Egyptian Constitution

MB loyalists clash with Egyptian counter-govt forces in Cairo

Supporters of Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi scuffled with opponents in Cairo's Tahrir Square on Friday in the worst violence since Egypt's new Islamist leader and Muslim Brotherhood member took office this year.

Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood movement and a coalition of secular leaning groups were holding separate rallies when people from each side began throwing stones at one another. The health ministry said at least 12 people were wounded.  

The violence came after Mr. Morsi removed his prosecutor general from office on Thursday after a court acquitted loyalists of ousted President Hosni Mubarak of organizing a brutal attack on protesters last year.

Nancy Okail, director of Freedom House's Egypt office in Cairo, tells VOA the acquittals are causing “obvious dismay” for Mr. Morsi. But she says that does not give the president the legal authority to remove his prosecutor general.

“The president does not have the right to dismiss the public prosecutor or any legislative authority unless their is a crime or there is a low case against him. The public prosecutor can resign, but he cannot be dismissed.”

Egyptian state television said Mr. Morsi skirted the legal process by naming Prosecutor General Abdel Maguid Mahmoud as the country's ambassador to the Vatican.

The announcement follows activists blaming Mahmoud of presenting weak evidence that resulted in the acquittals of 24 Mubarak loyalists.

They had faced charges for organizing a notorious camel-borne assault on protesters during last year's popular uprising.

In a speech in the coastal city of Alexandria on Friday, Mr. Morsi promised to bring to justice the officials accused of organizing the killing protesters.

“We will never ignore those who committed crimes against the nation and corrupted it,” he said, according to the official MENA news agency. VoA.

MB Egyptian President Morsi fires chief Prosecutor

Egypt's president has removed his prosecutor general from office after a court acquitted loyalists of ousted President Hosni Mubarak of organizing a brutal attack on protesters last year.

Egyptian state television announced Thursday that President Mohammed Morsi, a member of the Muslim Brotherhood, removed General Abdel Maguid Mahmoud and named him as the country's ambassador to the Vatican.

The announcement follows activists blaming Mahmoud of presenting weak evidence that resulted in the acquittals of 24 Mubarak era officials.

They had faced charges for organizing a notorious camel-borne assault on protesters during last year's popular uprising. VoA.

Morsi pardons criminals of the "revolution"

Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi has issued a decree granting a pardon to Egyptians who were detained or convicted for acts linked to the 2011 revolution that ousted his longtime predecessor, Hosni Mubarak.

In the decree posted on his Facebook page late Monday, Mr. Morsi said the pardon covers crimes “committed with the aim of supporting the revolution” from January 25, 2011, when the uprising began, to June 30, 2012, when he took office.

Mr. Morsi said Egyptians facing trial and those already serving prison sentences for such crimes will be eligible for release. He said the amnesty excludes people charged with or convicted of murder.

The presidential decree said Egypt's attorney general and military prosecutor have one month to compile and publish a list of people included in the amnesty. But Mr. Morsi did not say how many people will be pardoned or when they will be freed. He also did not define the specific offenses to be pardoned.

"Youth groups" that led the Egyptian revolution have long demanded that authorities drop charges against and release thousands of fellow activists detained in Mr. Mubarak's crackdown on the uprising and in the 18 months of military rule that followed. Many were convicted of thuggery, damaging public property, resisting authorities and disrupting public order.

Mr. Morsi already has pardoned several hundred civilians convicted in military tribunals of involvement in the recent unrest. He had been under pressure to deliver on his promise of building on the revolution in the runup to his 100th day in office, which he marked on Sunday.  VoA.

UK Court delays extradition of Egyptian terrorist

A British court has delayed the extradition of terrorist Abu Hamza to the United States after he lodged a fresh appeal.

The court plans to hold a full hearing next Tuesday.  It did not say on what grounds Abu Hamza and another terrorist, Khaled Al-Fawwaz, are appealing the extradition orders.

The European Court of Human Rights ruled Monday that Abu Hamza and four others could be sent to the United States.  The British Home Office says it intends to turn them over to the U.S. as soon as possible.

U.S. authorities have charged Abu Hamza with trying to set up a terrorist-training camp in the northwestern U.S. state of Oregon, and helping al-Qaida seize hostages in Yemen.

The Egyptian-born Abu Hamza lost an eye and both hands fighting Soviet forces in Afghanistan in the 1980s.  He also headed a London mosque and was jailed in Britain for encouraging young Muslims to launch a holy war against non-believers.

Earlier this week, the BBC apologized to Buckingham Palace after a journalist reported that Queen Elizabeth had at one time complained that Abu Hamza was out of jail and making hate speeches.  VoA.

Egypt issues warrants on Americans insulting Islam

On 18 September 2012, the Egyptian government issued arrest warrants for Terry Jones, Nakoula Basseley Nakoula, and six others associated with the amateur youtube video, the "Innocence of Muslims."  The warrant alleges that they are wanted for the crimes of: "Harming national unity," "Insulting and publicly attacking Islam," and "spreading false information."

Aside from Terry Jones, the remaining individuals targeted in the warrant are Egyptian Coptic Christians, who fled the religious persecution of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt. 

The Muslim Brotherhood has taken over the reins of government in Egypt, after Obama ordered longtime US ally, Hosni Mubarrak to resign.  It is currently in the process of writing a new constitution for the country, which is expected to make it a crime to speak against Islam.

The video in question opens with scenes of the oppression Egyptian Coptics have experienced in Egypt where a Coptic daughter asks her father why they are being persecuted.  The father tells the daughter, she'll have to come to her own conclusions as to why fellow Egyptians would commit such violence.  It then portrays scenes described in the Koran, including allusions to the marriage of Muhammed to his supporter's post-toddler daughter, and overt calls of Mohammed to violence.

Lost in the violent aftermath, and to the public debate, is the irony that Islamists are acting out the very violence that the video producer was highlighting.

The Egyptian video producer, who lives in California, faces the possibility of a violent death over his production.  Theo van Gogh, the great-grandson of the famous artist, was brutally stabbed to death in the streets of Europe for a film which Islamists considered blasphemous.  A 14 year old mentally challenged Pakistani girl faced the death penalty for buring pieces of paper, on which verses of the Koran were allegedly written.

Meanwhile, today, a left-wing French magazine is publishing cartoons depicting Mohammed naked, along with other cartoons of the 7th Century Arab conquerer.  And the French government is closing its Embassies in 20 Islamic countries to counter the threat.

The Obama Administration has made no statements concerning extradition or protection of the Americans wanted in Egypt, but the video producer has previously been brought in for questioning.

Coptic Egyptian claims directorship of "Innocence of Islam;" denies ties of video to US

A man who says he was behind the private film sparking demonstrations in the Muslim world is criticizing the protesters.

In an interview with U.S.-government-funded Radio Sawa, the alleged director of the film says his fellow Arabs “have to learn demonstrate peacefully against the issues on which we disagree.”  He says any allegation the United States government was involved in the making of the movie is “funny and ridiculous” and that “America has nothing to do with the film.”

Radio Sawa says the man refused to confirm his identity but that a source who provided the contact information identified him as Nakoula Basseley Nakoula.

Several news organizations have linked the inflammatory film, titled “The Innocence of Muslims,” to Nakoula, a 55-year-old Egyptian Coptic Christian who lives in California and recently served a prison sentence for bank fraud.

Initially, the film was said to have been produced by a man named Sam Bacile, who told news media he is Israeli-American.  A consultant on the film confirmed the name “Sam Bacile” was a pseudonym.  There is no record of the film or its producer in Hollywood reference sources. 

The man believed to be Nakoula tells Radio Sawa he did not expect the film would cause such strong reactions from the Arab and Muslim world, saying the film's other producers “put my mind at ease.”  But he also says all the film's advisers were “foreigners who do not know anything about Arabs and have never visited Arab countries.” VoA.

Islamist Riots spread to more countries

Demonstrations continued near the U.S. embassy in Cairo, with protesters throwing rocks at riot police, who responded with tear gas.

The violence also appeared to be spreading to Sudan, where demonstrators are reported to have breached the German embassy. Protests were also reported in Malaysia and Indonesia and security was tight in Kabul, Afghanistan.

In Benghazi, Libya, where the U.S. ambassador and three other American personnel were killed in an attack Tuesday, security was stepped up around the city and the airport temporarily closed.

U.S. warships are headed to the Libyan coast, while additional U.S. Marines were deployed to protect the American embassy in Yemen, breached by protesters Thursday.

In many Cairo mosques Friday, a video, crudely-made, was the topic of the day.  One imam reminded worshippers that Egyptians, under their new, Islamist government, can now openly defend the prophet from insults.

Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi, who has condemned the video, spoke out again Friday on the need to keep protests in check.

Egyptian security forces were building a barrier Friday to block the route to the embassy. Egyptian police used tear gas earlier to break up the protests.

U.S. President Barack Obama spoke Thursday about the relationship between the U.S. and Egypt.

“I don't think that we would consider them an ally, but we don't consider them an enemy. They are a new government that's trying to find its way. They were democratically elected. I think we have to see how they respond to this incident.”

Libyan officials said Thursday that they have arrested four people in connection with this week's assault on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi that killed U.S. Ambassador Christopher Stevens and three of his staff.  The officials did not provide details.

American intelligence agencies are examining the alleged involvement of al-Qaida terrorists. But they say they do not have solid evidence.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton condemned the amateur youtube video that mocks the Islamic Prophet Muhammad. She called it “disgusting” and “reprehensible.”  VoA.

Four protesters killed in Yemen as anti-US protests spread

Four protesters were killed when a mob stormed the grounds of the U.S. embassy in Yemen Thursday, part of a wave of violent demonstrations against the United States.

Yemeni President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi immediately condemned the violence and promised to protect U.S. citizens in Yemen. The White House says President Barack Obama telephoned Mr. Hadi to thank him for his swift response. It says Mr. Obama rejects any efforts to denigrate Islam, but said there is no justification for the violence.

Protesters also marched in Cairo, Tehran, Baghdad and Dhaka, chanting “no to Israel” and burning the American flag.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton condemned an amateur youtube video that mocks the Islamic Prophet Muhammad. She called it “disgusting” and “reprehensible.” Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi also condemned both the video and the violence Thursday. He promised to protect foreigners in Egypt.

U.S. and Libyan authorities are investigating Tuesday's storming of the U.S consulate in Benghazi that killed U.S. Ambassador Christopher Stevens and three of his staff. One of those killed was identified Thursday as a former U.S. Navy SEAL who was on a security detail in Libya.

American intelligence agencies are examining the involvement of al Qaida terrorists. But they say they do not have solid evidence.

The United States also has sent two Navy destroyers, a Marine Corps anti-terrorist security team and agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation to Libya to protect Americans. VoA.

The call for 9/11 "protests" on Cairo Embassy

The date was not a coincidence.  A two-bit youtube video by previously unknown people unrelated to the US Government was not the reason.  As reported by a former member of the Muslim Brotherhood, Walid Shoebat, the advertisement for the "protests" was this:

"This demonstration was about one thing – creating havoc to apply pressure that would lead to a change in Egyptian Constitution by Nour:

"Salafi Nour Party officially joined the Commonwealth of ‘voice of wisdom’ with Wisam Abdul Waris, as well as with Nader Bakkar, the party’s official spokesman and Dr. Ahmed Khalil Khairallah, member of the supreme body."

Said Bakkar:

"Ahmed Khalil of the supreme body and I joined the Association of the voice of wisdom with Dr. Wisam Abdul Waris as official representatives from Nour Party and the Salafist call."

Bakkar then added that the association…

"…aims for legal prosecution for anyone of harm to Islam at home and abroad"

That explains the reasons for Islamist extremists to desecrate the US Flag and hoist the black flag of Al-Qaeda.  The Nour Party controls 20% of the Egyptian parliament, with the majority being the Muslim Brotherhood.

Meanwhile, Debka reports that the assassination of the US Ambassador in Libya was conducted on orders from al-Qaeda's leader, al-Zawahari himself:

"Debkafile’s counter-terror sources report exclusively that far from being a spontaneous raid by angry Islamists, it was a professionally executed terrorist operation by a professional Al Qaeda assassination team, whose 20 members acted under the orders of their leader Ayman al Zawahri after special training. They were all Libyans, freed last year from prisons where they were serving sentences for terrorism passed during the late Muammar Qaddafi’s rule.

In a video tape released a few hours before the attack, Zawahri called on the faithful to take revenge on the United States for liquidating one of the organization’s top operatives, Libyan-born Abu Yahya al-Libi in June by a US drone in northwestern Pakistan."

The War on Terror has not "ended," and it will not end by retreating from an enemy that attacked without provocation, and despite the US ignoring its declarations of war in 1996 and 1998.

 

Islamists attack US Embassy in Egypt, US Consulate in Libya

On the anniversary of 9/11, Islamists in Egypt breached the walls of the US Embassy in Cairo, shouting "Sons of the Cross, leave Mohammed alone," reminiscent of the 1978 attacks by Iranian "students" on the US Embassy in Tehran.  After tearing down the US Flag, they desecrated it, and raised the black flag of Al-Qaeda.

Main Stream Media continues to repeat the excuse of Islamists, that the attack on the US Embassy was in "response" to a film produced by Coptic Egyptian refugees in California, depicting Mohammed in an unfavorable manner.

A few hours later an Islamist mob in Libya attacked the US Consulate in Benghazi.  They then set fire to the Consulate.

An official at the embassy told VOA that all the employees on the compound were safe.

Media reports say the film about the prophet was financed by expatriate members of Egypt's Coptic Christian minority group.

The protests coincide with the 11th anniversary of September 11 terrorist attacks in the United States.

Islamists attack US Embassy in Egypt, US Consulate in Libya

On the anniversary of 9/11, Islamists in Egypt breached the walls of the US Embassy in Cairo, shouting "Sons of the Cross, leave Mohammed alone," reminiscent of the 1978 attacks by Iranian "students" on the US Embassy in Tehran.  After tearing down the US Flag, they desecrated it, and raised the black flag of Al-Qaeda.

Main Stream Media continues to repeat the excuse of Islamists, that the attack on the US Embassy was in "response" to a film produced by Coptic Egyptian refugees in California, depicting Mohammed in an unfavorable manner.

A few hours later an Islamist mob in Libya attacked the US Consulate in Benghazi.  They then set fire to the Consulate.

An official at the embassy told VOA that all the employees on the compound were safe.

Media reports say the film about the prophet was financed by expatriate members of Egypt's Coptic Christian minority group.

The protests coincide with the 11th anniversary of September 11 terrorist attacks in the United States.

Muslim Brotherhood's Mosri offers united Islamists against Assad

Egypt's president, of the Muslim Brotherhood, says Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad must learn from “recent history” and step down before it is too late, while the Turkish prime minister said Syria has become a “terrorist state” carrying out massacres against its own people.

Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi told a meeting of the Arab League in Cairo Wednesday that a resolution to the crisis is an Arab responsibility, reiterating his call for the Syrian government to resign. He said the time has come in Syria for “change and not wasting time speaking of reform.”

Mr. Morsi also said a quartet of regional states proposed by Cairo to discuss the Syrian crisis would meet. The group includes Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Iran and Egypt.

In separate comments, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan voiced further frustration at the lack of international consensus over the chaos in Syria. He told a meeting of his ruling AK party in Ankara that Turkey does not “have the luxury to remain indifferent” to what is happening in Syria.

Ankara initially cultivated good relations with Mr. Assad's government, but Mr. Erdogan has become one of the Syrian leader's harshest critics since the uprising against him began 17 months ago. Turkey, struggling to cope with an influx of around 80,000 Syrian refugees, has repeatedly pushed for a foreign-protected safe zone inside Syria, but the proposal has gained little international support.

Meanwhile, activists said Syrian forces killed at least 19 people, including seven children, when they shelled rebel-controlled areas of the commercial capital, Aleppo.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Wednesday that 10 civilians were killed in the southern neighborhood of Bustan al-Qasr while a total of nine bodies, including those of the children, were found in the Marjeh and Hanano areas.

Other opposition groups said the death toll in the strategic northern city was as high as 43, including women and children. VOA cannot confirm events on the ground in Syria because the government severely restricts access for international journalists. VoA.

Islamist Egypt begs for $4.8 Billion in handouts

Egypt has formally asked the International Monetary Fund for a rescue package of up to $4.8 billion, as it struggles with its faltering economy after more than a year of political turmoil triggered by an Islamist uprising.

Egyptian Prime Minister Hisham Qandil, speaking Wednesday, said the loan is aimed at lowering Egypt's borrowing costs.  He said his government hopes to sign the deal by the end of the year, with a five-year repayment plan at an interest rate of 1.1 percent.

The request came during a visit by IMF managing director Christine Lagarde, who later said that “getting the country's economy back on track and raising living standards for all will not be an easy task.”  But she said the IMF will “accompany” Egypt “as it undertakes this challenging journey.”

Lagarde said the two sides had not yet begun discussing details.

The loan request is the second from Cairo in a year.  An application for $2.8 billion was rejected last year after months of political wrangling. VoA.

Obama Admin expected Egyptian purge

Egyptian media outlets are hailing as “revolutionary” a decision by President Mohamed Morsi to dismiss the once-powerful defense minister and curtail the military's authority.

On Sunday, Mr. Morsi ordered Defense Minister Hussein Tantawi to retire along with armed forces chief of staff Sami Enan.  The president also canceled a constitutional declaration that had granted Tantawi and other top military officers in the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces wide powers.

Mr. Morsi, of the Islamist Muslim Brotherhood, said he “did not intend to embarrass institutions,” and that his decisions were for the benefit of Egypt and its people. The military has not publicly responded to the decisions.

U.S. reaction at the White House and State Department stressed the need for the Egyptian civilian and military leaders to work together to advance the democratic transition. Pentagon spokesman George Little said the changes were expected.

“The new defense minister is someone who's known to us. He comes from within the ranks of the SCAF and we believe that we will be able to continue the strong partnership that we have with Egypt.”

Both Tantawi and Enan were named as presidential advisors and received top medals for their military service.

Some Morsi supporters celebrated in Tahrir Square late Sunday, but a VOA reporter in Cairo says there have not been a lot of people in the streets Monday, most likely due to the hot weather and the fasting associated with the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Sunday's changes at the top of the military followed last week's announcement that Mr. Morsi fired his intelligence chief and the governor of North Sinai.  That reorganization — which also extended to replacing the commander of the military police — came days after militants launched their bloodiest attack ever on the army in the Sinai Peninsula, killing 16 Egyptian border guards. VoA.

Islamists purge rivals in Egyptian Govt; consolidating power

Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi has ordered his defense minister and military council's chief of staff to retire.

A presidential spokesman also announced Sunday that Mr. Morsi has canceled a constitutional declaration the military approved shortly before his election that granted its top commanders wide powers.

President Morsi replaced the outgoing defense minister Hussein Tantawi — a holdover from ousted President Hosni Mubarak's rule — with Abdel Fattah al-Sissi.  He also has appointed a senior judge, Mahmoud Mekki, as vice president.

This is the latest major reorganization following last week's announcement that Mr. Morsi fired his intelligence chief and the governor of North Sinai.  That reorganization — which also extended to replacing the commander of the military police — came days after militants launched their bloodiest attack ever on the army in the Sinai Peninsula, killing 16 Egyptian border guards. VoA.

Mohammed Morsi was elected on the top of the Muslim Brotherhood ticket.

Egypt kills 20 terrorists following attack on Border Crossing

Egyptian security officials say the military has carried out an assault on suspected terrorists in the Sinai peninsula following new attacks against checkpoints.

Officials say the airstrikes Wednesday killed 20 militants. 

The strikes came hours after an attack against checkpoints in the city of El-Arish, about 50 kilometers from the border with Israel and the Gaza Strip.

The Egyptian military and President Mohamed Mursi had vowed to assert more control over the border area following an attack Sunday that killed 16 Egyptian border guards.  Egypt said terrorists involved in the attack were trying to cross into Israel. VoA.

Islamists kill 16 Egyptian Border Guards

Gunmen killed 16 border guards then tried to cross the Israeli border in two stolen vehicles.  The Israeli military said one vehicle exploded and the second crossed the border before being destroyed by an Israeli air strike.

Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak says he hopes a deadly attack on Egyptian border guards Sunday near the Gaza Strip and Israel will serve as a “wakeup call” for Egypt to enhance its security in the Sinai peninsula.

Barak told a parliamentary committee Monday that Israeli forces killed eight terrorists.

Israel's chief military spokesman said it had intelligence reports that helped it thwart the assault.

Egypt closed its Rafah border crossing with Gaza in response to the attack, which Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi called “cowardly.”

Sinai has become increasingly lawless since the ouster of Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak last year. Terrorists in Sinai have targeted Egyptian security forces, blown up pipelines supplying gas to Israel and Jordan and killed Israelis in cross-border attacks. VoA.

Obama/Hillary offer Islamist Egyptian government $1 Billion in economic aid

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has ended two days of talks with Egypt's quarrelling leaders, offering them U.S. assistance for the struggling Egyptian economy without publicly taking sides in their ongoing power struggle.

A U.S. State Department official said Clinton discussed U.S. aid proposals at a meeting in Cairo Sunday with Egyptian military chief Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi. The official said Tantawi told Clinton that reviving the Egyptian economy is a priority for his country. Clinton revealed details of the U.S. aid pledge on Saturday, when she held talks with Egypt's Islamist President Mohamed Morsi, who took office last month.

Hillary meets new Islamist President of Egypt

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met Sunday in Cairo with Egypt's top military commander Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi, a day after holding talks with newly-inaugurated Islamist President Mohamed Morsi.

Clinton and Field Marshal Tantawi, who was the country's interim leader after the ouster of President Hosni Mubarak, discussed an extensive range of topics, including the north African country's political transition, the importance of protecting the rights of all Egyptians, and regional stability.

Clinton is set to hold talks separately with Egypt's Christian leaders and women leaders before travelling to Alexandria to participate in a flag-raising ceremony at the U.S. consulate.

Later Sunday, Clinton departs for Israel.

On Saturday, the top U.S. diplomat reaffirmed U.S. support for Egypt's political transition.  Clinton said the United States wants to be helpful, but “it is for the Egyptian people to decide” how the transition plays out.

Clinton also announced a $60-million enterprise fund for small and medium-sized businesses and $250 million in private-sector loan guarantees. VoA.

Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood won elections to write the new Constitution, after the US and Western Nations rushed Egypt to hold elections while only the Muslim Brotherhood was organized to campaign.

Islamists defy Egyptian Courts

Egypt's Islamist-led parliament has reconvened in defiance of orders by the country's military and Supreme Court.

The lower house of parliament met Tuesday, days after President Mohamed Morsi issued a decree reinstating the body.

Egypt's supreme military council dissolved the parliament last month after the Supreme Court found fault with the process by which lawmakers were elected.  The court said Monday its decision was final and binding.

The speaker of the lower house  said lawmakers were meeting to find a way to implement the order.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton urged Egyptian officials to work together to avoid derailing the country's transition. VoA.

Islamist declared President of Egypt

Muslim Brotherhood candidate Mohamed Morsi has been declared the winner of Egypt's presidential run-off.

A huge cheer went up from Tahrir square where supporters of Mr. Morsi gathered.

Mr. Morsi defeated former Mubarak-era prime minister Ahmed Shafiq.

Egypt's election commission announced Sunday that Mr. Morsi won nearly 52 percent of the vote, beating Ahmed Shafiq.  Mr. Morsi will become Egypt's first freely elected president.

The election commission was supposed to release the results Thursday, but it said it needed more time to investigate fraud allegations against both candidates.

Ahead of Sunday's announcement, officials deployed extra security forces to Cairo streets and key state institutions.  Supporters of both Mr. Morsi and Mr. Shafiq had threatened a backlash should their candidate lose the closely contested election.  So far though, there have been no reports of violence.

VoA.

The Muslim Brotherhood is an international Islamist organization which calls for implementation of Sharia law, the separation of sexes, and the end of Western influences in the Middle East.  It had promised violent protests if their candidate had not been declared the winner.

Israel counter attacks Hamas in Gaza, after rocket attacks

Israel's military said Saturday it carried out a series of airstrike in the Gaza Strip, ruled by the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas, in response to more than 20 Palestinians rockets that crashed into Israel Saturday. One of the rockets, which brought the week's total to 150, injured an Israeli man in the town of Sderot.

Palestinian medical officials said the Israeli strikes killed two Palestinians and wounded at least 24 others. Palestinians claimed that one of the dead is a six-year-old boy.  Israel confirmed it struck multiple targets in Gaza but denied involvement in the child's death.

The violence erupted Monday when gunmen from Egypt killed an Israeli civilian in an ambush along Israel's southern border with Egypt.  Two gunmen were also killed in the attack, claimed by an Islamist terrorist group.

In response to the violence, Hamas threatened to break its three-day old Egyptian-brokered truce with Israel that had temporarily calmed violence.

The Israeli government has signaled it does not want an escalation of violence in Gaza, but it also said rocket attacks on Israeli civilians will not be tolerated and will be met with a “painful response.”

 

Middle East News 22 June 2012

Afghan-led forces stormed a hotel outside Kabul Friday, rescuing civilians taken hostage by heavily armed Taliban gunmen in an overnight siege. Police say at least 20 people were killed in the 12-hour gun battle. NATO helicopters hovered overhead Friday as Afghan security and coalition forces fought a fierce battle to free the hostages and retake the Spozhmai Hotel.

In Egypt, thousands of demonstrators turned out in Cairo's Tahrir Square after Friday prayers, heeding an appeal by Islamist parties to protest against the country's ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces. Several secular and youth groups also joined in to denounce recent moves by the council, including the dissolution of parliament.

Pakistan's lawmakers have elected a new prime minister to replace ousted Yousuf Raza Gilani, in a bid to end the country's political crisis. Parliament voted overwhelmingly Friday in favor of former water and power minister Raja Pervez Ashraf, who has been hit with corruption allegations and is partly blamed for the country's electricity crisis.

Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan says a Turkish air force jet has gone down over Syrian waters.  However, the prime minister told reporters in Ankara on Friday he could not confirm media reports that Syria shot down the plane.   He said Turkish and Syrian vessels were searching for the plane and the pilots.

Details after the break.