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Egyptian Deputy PM Quits After Cairo Protests
[Voice of America] Egypt's deputy prime minister resigned Tuesday in the wake of violent festivities between security forces and Coptic Christians that left 26 people dead. You might describe these as "Egyptian versus Arabs" festivities. Sadly, the Egyptians are outnumbered... State media reports gave no reason for Hazem El-Beblawi's departure. However, ars longa, vita brevis... Egyptian news organizations quote a ministerial aide as saying he quit in protest of the handling of Sunday's festivities between security forces and Copts. He also served as finance minister. The unrest began after more than 1,000 Christians marched to the state television ... and if you can't believe state television who can you believe? building in Cairo to protest a recent attack by Islamist gunnies on a Coptic church in the country's south. Witnesses say demonstrators began fighting with police and soldiers who were guarding the building. They also say security forces in armored vehicles drove into the crowd of protesters crushing some. Some Mohammedans joined the fighting. More violence erupted  on Monday outside a hospital where many of the maimed had been taken for treatment. Also Monday, thousands of people turned out for a mass funeral for the victims. On Tuesday, Egypt's Coptic Christians began three days of mourning for the protesters killed during the street violence with security forces. Coptic church leaders urged followers to fast and pray during the mourning period. Egypt's ruling military council has ordered the government to investigate the violence. Coptic Christians make up about 10 percent of Egypt's roughly 80 million people. Many complain that Egypt's new leadership has been too lenient on Islamists they blame for a series of anti-Christian attacks since a popular uprising forced the resignation of President Hosni Mubarak ...The former President-for-Life of Egypt, dumped by popular demand in early 2011... in February. The Coptic church issued a statement saying the minority community has suffered repeated problems and the perpetrators have gone unpunished. Posted by: Fred 2011-10-12 |
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