BREAKING: Military Coup Underway in Egypt

12 Comments

1. 

   Oui on July 3, 2013 at 12:19 pm

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   The Islamic faith has this division for nearly 1400 years. The ill-fated decision for the Iraq War had the full support of Sharon/Israel. Saudi Arabia had strongly advised not to wage a war fearing the outcome as we see today, a boost for Iran’s influence. Israel is well versed to invest in short-term conflicts and has the intelligence and timing to join a piggy-back coup in neighboring states. Israel has a long-term goal but lacks vision for life beyond violence and a conflict. Peace is not a word in Israel’s vocabulary.

   Then crown-prince and now King Abdullah does have a long term vision for the Middle-East, I’m afraid US and Western values/influence will not be part of Al-Sham. Not surprisingly, most Arab states cannot unite as even Qatar and Saudi Arabia illustrate today.

   I do consider Egypt’s 2nd Revolution helpful to determine a more secular, perhaps enlightened form of democracy the people of Egypt deserve. President Morsi was a failure and will soon be forgotten for doing the bidding of the Muslim Brotherhood. Erdogan in Turkey has the democratic majority and the arrogance to steer towards an autocratic state, just short of crowning himself sultan of the new empire.

   Interesting times, hoping the seed of democracy falls in fertile soil.

   Added comment:

   I will forward some arguments of mine why the Muslim Brotherhood, Salafists and Wahhabists are part of a major Sunni revival started in the 1990′s and is build on terror acts across the Middle-East. The billions of funding from Qatar and Saudi Arabia are used to obfuscate the true religious goal of Al-Sham. Morsi failed as an Egyptian leader because he did not encompass the opposition. In a new democracy one cannot rule absolutely when at the polls he got the smallest margin in a majority. Morsi followed the lead of Recep Tayyip Erdogan, he should have taken advice from Nelson Mandela. In a revolution, you get only one chance.

   The Arab leaders are building their policy not just on their immense wealth, but are using the shortcomings and short-sightedness of their major foes Israel and the US to their benefit. Keep on signing those major civilian and military contracts …

   Egypt’s military corporate establishment “delivers” 25-40% of the nation’s GDP

2. 

   Oui on July 3, 2013 at 12:21 pm

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   It must be clear by now, Morsi is tied to the moneystrings of Saudi Arabia (Salafists/Wahhabists) and Qatar (Muslim Brotherhood).

   Yeah, the Syrian revolt was always about a peaceful uprising. What a bs … my diary.

   In Turnabout, Syria Rebels Get Libyan Weapons (source NY Times)

   (Syria Comment) – Those weapons, which slipped from state custody as Colonel Qaddafi’s people rose against him in 2011, are sent on ships or Qatar Emiri Air Force flights to a network of intelligence agencies and Syrian opposition leaders in Turkey. From there, Syrians distribute the arms according to their own formulas and preferences to particular fighting groups, which in turn issue them to their fighters on the ground, rebels and activists said.

   Qatari C-17 cargo aircraft have made at least three stops in Libya this year — including flights from Mitiga airport in Tripoli on Jan. 15 and Feb. 1, and another that departed Benghazi on April 16, according to flight data.

3. 

   Oui on July 3, 2013 at 2:14 pm

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   Wary of Morsy, Gulf Arabs keen to appear neutral in Egypt crisis

   DUBAI/RIYADH (Egypt Independent) – Gulf Arab rulers are resisting the temptation to gloat in public about the political woes of Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood, a group most of them mistrust, for fear of deepening unrest in a country that remains a potential ally in their standoff with Iran.

   Officials and analysts said official Gulf Arab silence reflected a longstanding belief among the mainly small, U.S.-allied Sunni Muslim-ruled oil producers that their security is closely linked to that of Egypt, the most populous country in the Arab World, which is also Sunni.

   For most of the past 30 years Egypt has been a strategic ally for Gulf Arab states worried about being dominated by the much bigger, Shi’ite Muslim Islamic Republic across the Gulf.

   Now, with the stakes so high and Egypt’s situation so volatile, the official thinking seems to be that public meddling might only make things worse, analysts say. Expressions of concern are couched in term of seeking the common good and favouring dialogue.

   “To have a peaceful and stable Egypt is very important for Saudi and the rest of the Arab world,” said Abdullah al-Askar, foreign affairs committee chairman at Saudi Arabia’s Shura Council, a body appointed by King Abdullah to advise on policy.

   Stressing he was speaking in his personal capacity, Askar said that given the anti-government protests’ size, President Mohamed Morsy should be more open to the opposition’s complaints.

   Army tightens grip on Egypt amid coup claim

   (Gulf News) – Cairo: Egypt’s military moved to tighten its control of key institutions Wednesday, as security forces imposed a travel ban on President Mohammad Mursi and several top Islamist allies over their involvement in a prison escape in 2011, amid claims of a “military coup.”

   “For the sake of Egypt and for historical accuracy, let’s call what is happening by its real name: Military coup,” Essam El Haddad, Mursi’s national security adviser, said in a statement on Facebook.

   As tensions mounted and crowds poured into the streets to demand Mursi’s resignation, Al Haddad said: “As I write these lines I am fully aware that these may be the last lines I get to post on this page.”

   NY Times – In Open Letter, Top Morsi Aide Says Coup Is Under Way

   • Morsi Increases Grip On Power in Egypt, Appoints Islamists
4. 

   Salunga on July 3, 2013 at 5:55 pm

   Morsi’s final mistake.

   Army concern about the way President Mohamed Mursi was governing Egypt reached tipping point when the head of state attended a rally packed with hardline fellow Islamists calling for holy war in Syria, military sources said.

   At the June 15 rally, Sunni Muslim clerics used the word “infidels” to denounce both the Shi’ites fighting to protect Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and the non-Islamists that oppose Mursi at home.

   Islamist to the core. Leading an organization that once boasted Zawahiri as member. Egypt’s people do not deserve this lunatic. I have a feeling Egypt is in for some extended violence as so far this has been to easy. Where is Morsi?

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     Oui on July 4, 2013 at 1:27 am

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     Millions showed their will with peaceful demonstrations, the police and armed forces no longer took dictates from dictator Morsi. Morsi and the MB minority rewrote the Constitution, suspended or fired judges, appointed his cronies in newsrooms and governorships, decided to support sending Egyptians to fight a foreign war in Syria on behalve of Islamic fundamentalist monarchies of rich Arab Gulf states, did not protect free press nor women’s rights, did nothing to compromise with other parties of the first revolution and those who supported his election as President of Egypt.

     In the first round of the presidential election, Morsi got a bare 5.8 million votes!
     On the petition for his removal, 22 million Egyptians signed that paper!

     A LEGITIMATE OVERTHROW BY THE PEOPLE!!

     Let this be a wise lesson for other leaders in the region who follow the deslusional path of Erdogan’s Muslim Brotherhood in Turkey. Of course the Obama administration was opposed as are many here on BooMan’s blog. Assad is not surprised and praises the overthrow of Morsi. The backers of foreign intervantion to overthrow Assad by military means arenot happy today. Just a show of colors. I do hope the many decades of US training and bribes have given the Egyptian generals sufficient moral fibers to do what is best for the Egyptian people and nation.

     I’m just as elated as the Egyptians are throughout their nation with cheers and fireworks. I have trust and hope in the people’s movement towards a true democracy, not one hijacked by religious fanatics.

     Let’s not worry about the refusal by US Congress to fund 1.5bn for Egypt’s military, that money was a bribe to keep the peace treaty with Israel anyway.

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       yastreblyansky on July 4, 2013 at 11:21 am

       Important to note (as you did at Silverstein‘s place–that the army proved it can give up power two years ago. Only it turns out the revolution wasn’t over yet. Nice to see you giving in to a little optimism too.

5. 

   Oui on July 4, 2013 at 7:27 am

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   Amazing how one day after Morsi’s defeat, so few say they were friends!

   WINNER
   Solely the People of Egypt, well done!

   LOSERS
   Morsi, his cronies placed in high governing positions and the extreme Muslim Brotherhood.
   QATAR – gave full political support and funds to the MB in Egypt
   TURKEY – Erdogan was thrilled Morsi would follow his leadership to change a secular state to a theocracy. Perhaps the women in Turkey can loosen their veils now.

   STATES
   UAE – the MB is outlawed and just sentenced 8 men in absentia to 15 year jail terms.
   SAUDI ARABIA – the Salafist party which gave full support to Morsi in the 2nd round of the election were sidelined in the political proces, is not forgotten by King Abdullah.

    « click for story GCC states

   ISRAEL – will just adjust to whomever grabs power in Egypt, appears to have a good relationship with Egypt’s intelligence and military for cooperation in the Sinai and border with Gaza.
   USA – Obama is a constitutionalist, so he must bide some time to come to terms with the changed state d’affairs in Egypt’s capital Cairo. Prefers to listen to people in power as the distance to main street grows every year. Perhaps Michelle could offer some wisdom.

   In addition, Obama can give Judge Adly Mansour a call, head of the Supreme Constitutional Court and the new interim president of Egypt. [Opinion elections 2012]

   Al-Ahram – Egypt’s new interim president: Judge Adly Mansour

6. 

   Oui on July 4, 2013 at 7:54 am

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   Egypt’s “Revocouption” and the future of Democracy on the Nile

   In fact, there certainly was a popular revolutionary element to the events, with literally millions of protesters coming out on Sunday and after, in the biggest demonstrations in Egyptian history. You can’t dismiss that as merely a coup d’etat from on top by a handful of officers.

   But on Wednesday there was also a military coup, provoked by the officer corps’ increasing dissatisfaction with President Muhammad Morsi as well as a determination not to stand by as the country threatened to devolve into chaos, as rival street crowds confronted one another.

   [Video source RT.com]
   …
   Al-Sisi said that the officer corps had been in dialogue with the various political parties and forces since the crisis of November, 2012, when Morsi abruptly declared himself above the law, then pushed through a non-consensual, somewhat theocrtic constitution (turnout for the referendum on it was only 30%), then tried to pack an upper house or Senate with Brotherhood members and sympathizers and use it to push through fundamentalist legislation.

   Al-Sisi said that all the political actors on the Egyptian stage showed a willingness to compromise to end the crisis except Morsi, who refused to show any flexibility. A last attempt at national reconciliation, brokered by the officers, began June 20, but Morsi’s speech on Tuesday offered nothing that would satisfy the people.

   • 

     Oui on July 4, 2013 at 8:03 am

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     Egypt’s “Revocouption” and the future of Democracy on the Nile

     In fact, there certainly was a popular revolutionary element to the events, with literally millions of protesters coming out on Sunday and after, in the biggest demonstrations in Egyptian history. You can’t dismiss that as merely a coup d’etat from on top by a handful of officers.

     Read on …

     • 

       Oui on July 4, 2013 at 8:06 am
7. 

   Oui on July 4, 2013 at 4:35 pm

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   Alliance Egypt/Qatar/Hamas

   Fatah calls on Palestinians to overthrow Hamas in wake of Morsi’s fall

   (JPost) – In a letter to acting President Adli Mansour, Abbas congratulated him on the appointment, expressing hope that he would fulfill the aspirations of the Egyptian people to “live in freedom, dignity and stability.”

   Abbas also praised the Egyptian army and its commanders for preserving Egypt’s security and preventing it from slipping toward the abyss. Tayeb Abdel Rahim, a top aide to Abbas, saluted the Egyptian army for the “wonderful achievement.”

   Referring to Morsi and the Muslim Brotherhood, Abdel Rahim hailed the Egyptian army and people for refusing to be intimidated by those who “sow sedition, civil war and sectarianism.” Jamal Nazzal, a senior Fatah representative, called on Palestinians to overthrow Hamas in wake of the toppling of Morsi.

   Meanwhile, Palestinian analysts predicted that the collapse of the Muslim Brotherhood regime in Egypt would undermine Hamas, which in the past year has been emboldened by Morsi’s rise to power.

8. 

   Oui on July 5, 2013 at 11:56 am

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    I haven’t the faintest idea what BooMan is writing about Islam, it’s just not his cup of tea.

   There are too few scholars on Islam in an advisory role to the Obama administration. Hillary Clinton made the mistake to use her “knowledge and experience” of the Clinton years and Bosnia/Kosovo conflict, using the same old advisors and set out to overthrow Assad as the Neocon cabal had advocated. The Clintons made the conflict in Syria far worse, John Kerry is trying his best to change the equation. He can’t get results without a major adjustment in his alliance in the Middle-East.

   The overthrow of Morsi by popular demand in Egypt is an exceptional move which could make life much easier to solve most ME conflicts from the Arab states to Jordan, Syria and Lebanon.

   No way that any American group thought the coup in Egypt could be supported as in made a “mockery of a democracy.” Here @BooMan and @TikunOlam, there was no support whatsoever. Only @InformedComment of Prof. Juan Cole there seemed to be a balance of 50/50.

   The Arab Gulf States were split along sectarian lines as I commented earlier –  Winners and Losers.

   The so-called Syrian National Council invented by the British/French/American alliance was never united or got credibility, it will fall apart completely.

   A great day for the Egyptians, hopefully the bloodshed will be limited.

   Brief history of the Muslim world and the Rise of Islamism or Political Islam
   Don’t confuse Islamism with fundamentalist Wahhabism or militant Jihad.

   See my diary – BREAKING: Military Coup Underway in Egypt.
   And Egypt Army Gives Mursi 48 hrs to Compromise.
   Earlier I wrote – US Administratons’ Failure to Distinquish Strands of Islam.
   Fall and Rise of the Muslim Brotherhood

   The jihadists are often called the Soldiers of Allah. In historical context perhaps in the same sense as the crusaders marching on Jerusalem or Pizarro‘s men subjugating the Inca’s of South America. Politics and religion are a poor mix, but wasn’t the US Constitution written with French culture and philosophy in mind? The US had its War of Independence, perhaps America is still waiting for the 2nd Revolution and a period of Enlightenment.