Will Egypt’s army stage another coup?

Mon, 01 Jul 2013 15:49:00 +0000

CAIRO, Egypt — Egypt's military said Monday that it will give the country's rival political forces 48 hours to resolve the current political crisis, or it will intervene with a roadmap for the nation's future.

The statement was read and broadcast live on state television.

Sixteen Egyptians were killed and hundreds more injured after a day of mass protests nationwide Sunday gave way to violent clashes outside the ruling Muslim Brotherhood headquarters in Cairo overnight.

Millions took to the streets in Cairo and other cities — in demonstrations that dwarfed the protests of the uprising two years ago — to call for President Mohamed Morsi, a former Brotherhood leader, to step down after a turbulent year in power.

As night fell, demonstrators besieged the Islamist movement’s headquarters — throwing rocks and Molotov cocktails, to which Brotherhood members holed up inside responded with gunfire, witnesses said. Eight peopled were killed in ensuing clashes, and protesters eventually ransacked and looted the office, according to the health ministry.

Salon.com > Louisa Loveluck

Will Egypt’s army stage another coup?