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| Reconciliation hopes fade in Egypt after Cairo killings | |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Egyptians agree on little in these frightening and unstable times. Still, few would argue with the notion that Monday's mass killings on the streets of Cairo represent a bloody reminder that the country's political future is deeply uncertain and that the overthrow of Mohamed Morsi is far from the end of the story. | Egyptians agree on little in these frightening and unstable times. Still, few would argue with the notion that Monday's mass killings on the streets of Cairo represent a bloody reminder that the country's political future is deeply uncertain and that the overthrow of Mohamed Morsi is far from the end of the story. |
| Morsi's removal by the military and his replacement by an interim president is unlikely to be reversed, given the overall balance of forces. But an already polarised atmosphere has been further poisoned by the deaths of more than 50 "martyrs" outside the Republican Guard HQ in Nasser City. | Morsi's removal by the military and his replacement by an interim president is unlikely to be reversed, given the overall balance of forces. But an already polarised atmosphere has been further poisoned by the deaths of more than 50 "martyrs" outside the Republican Guard HQ in Nasser City. |
| It may yet be possible to make good on the commitment to a speedy transition to civilian rule – though the army will remain in the background. It won't however, be inclusive. National reconciliation – mentioned by many in Egypt and abroad – sounds like a good idea. But it will be a very tall order. | It may yet be possible to make good on the commitment to a speedy transition to civilian rule – though the army will remain in the background. It won't however, be inclusive. National reconciliation – mentioned by many in Egypt and abroad – sounds like a good idea. But it will be a very tall order. |
| The complexity of Egypt's story means that nomenclature struggles to keep up with the sheer pace of events. Until last week government supporters were Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood and the opposition were a coalition of revolutionary activists, old regime loyalists, a rag-bag of independents and a mass of ordinary Egyptians yearning for stability. Now their roles are reversed. | The complexity of Egypt's story means that nomenclature struggles to keep up with the sheer pace of events. Until last week government supporters were Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood and the opposition were a coalition of revolutionary activists, old regime loyalists, a rag-bag of independents and a mass of ordinary Egyptians yearning for stability. Now their roles are reversed. |
| On a day of dark news the only flicker of light was that the interim presidency had quickly ordered a judicial investigation into what happened in Nasser City in the early hours. Its findings, though, may not sway people from their entrenched positions. And experience suggests that the army, keener on its own privileges than accountability, will not willingly let civilians pry into its affairs. | On a day of dark news the only flicker of light was that the interim presidency had quickly ordered a judicial investigation into what happened in Nasser City in the early hours. Its findings, though, may not sway people from their entrenched positions. And experience suggests that the army, keener on its own privileges than accountability, will not willingly let civilians pry into its affairs. |
| Brotherhood outrage at the killings was matched by widespread cynicism about its behaviour and motives. Large numbers of Egyptians see the Islamists as masters of manipulation. "The Muslim Brotherhood have cheated Egyptian public opinion for the last two years," said Mounir Abdelnour, a leader of the National Salvation Front. "Finally we have seen their true – and ugly – face." | Brotherhood outrage at the killings was matched by widespread cynicism about its behaviour and motives. Large numbers of Egyptians see the Islamists as masters of manipulation. "The Muslim Brotherhood have cheated Egyptian public opinion for the last two years," said Mounir Abdelnour, a leader of the National Salvation Front. "Finally we have seen their true – and ugly – face." |
| State TV reflects that unambiguous view, giving only the government's side of the story that "terrorists" tried to storm the building where Morsi is rumoured to be held. Al-Jazeera TV is vilified by many because it is perceived as favouring the Brotherhood narrative. | State TV reflects that unambiguous view, giving only the government's side of the story that "terrorists" tried to storm the building where Morsi is rumoured to be held. Al-Jazeera TV is vilified by many because it is perceived as favouring the Brotherhood narrative. |
| "In the short term, the Muslim Brothers may benefit from the pictures of supporters covered in blood," suggested the veteran analyst Magdi Abdel Hadi. "This may gain them some sympathy, but mainly abroad. Many Egyptians blame the leaders of the MB for incitement to violence and accuse them of wanting to ignite a civil war." | "In the short term, the Muslim Brothers may benefit from the pictures of supporters covered in blood," suggested the veteran analyst Magdi Abdel Hadi. "This may gain them some sympathy, but mainly abroad. Many Egyptians blame the leaders of the MB for incitement to violence and accuse them of wanting to ignite a civil war." |
| The immediate political consequences were grimly clear. The conservative Salafi Nour party immediately withdrew from talks on a new government. So did Abdel Moneim Aboul Fotouh, an independent Islamist. The Brotherhood had already made clear it would not take part until Morsi was back in office. | The immediate political consequences were grimly clear. The conservative Salafi Nour party immediately withdrew from talks on a new government. So did Abdel Moneim Aboul Fotouh, an independent Islamist. The Brotherhood had already made clear it would not take part until Morsi was back in office. |
| "The Brotherhood understands that it is unlikely to be able to restore the Morsi presidency," commented the strategic consultancy Stratfor, "and is thus trying to create a situation in which the military cannot impose a new political order." Another risk is that with senior MB leaders in jail, more radical elements may set the tone. Jihadi groups are already active in Sinai – a priority for the military. | "The Brotherhood understands that it is unlikely to be able to restore the Morsi presidency," commented the strategic consultancy Stratfor, "and is thus trying to create a situation in which the military cannot impose a new political order." Another risk is that with senior MB leaders in jail, more radical elements may set the tone. Jihadi groups are already active in Sinai – a priority for the military. |
| The likelihood then, say Egyptian commentators and politicians, is that the new government will be formed without any Islamists at all, meaning that hopes of national reconciliation have been dashed, at least for some time to come. | The likelihood then, say Egyptian commentators and politicians, is that the new government will be formed without any Islamists at all, meaning that hopes of national reconciliation have been dashed, at least for some time to come. |
| Talk of the country becoming another Algeria (where violence erupted in 1991 after elections Islamists were poised to win were cancelled), or even Syria, now in the grip of a fully fledged war, is overstated. But between calm and escalation, most Egyptians would probably bet on escalation. "If violence continues the army may see no alternative but to impose emergency or martial law," warned Mona Makram Obeid, a former senator and Wafd party MP. | Talk of the country becoming another Algeria (where violence erupted in 1991 after elections Islamists were poised to win were cancelled), or even Syria, now in the grip of a fully fledged war, is overstated. But between calm and escalation, most Egyptians would probably bet on escalation. "If violence continues the army may see no alternative but to impose emergency or martial law," warned Mona Makram Obeid, a former senator and Wafd party MP. |
| Timing may be on the side of short-term calm as the month-long Muslim Ramadan holiday begins this week. But heat, fasting and anger can be a volatile as well as an exhausting combination. | Timing may be on the side of short-term calm as the month-long Muslim Ramadan holiday begins this week. But heat, fasting and anger can be a volatile as well as an exhausting combination. |
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