Highlights from Egypt, Dec 8 2012 (Part 1) Martial Law [View all]

[Catherina]

Last edited Sat Dec 8, 2012, 03:15 PM - Edit history (1)

Highlights from Egypt, Dec 8 2012 (Part 1) Martial Law

Previous thread, Highlights from Egypt, Dec 7 2012 (Part 4), here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021942792

shaimaa khalil ‏@Shaimaakhalil

1st statement since protests,#Egypt army calls for dialogue to end crisis over #Morsi's powers,warning it will intervene to stop violence


@SultanAlQassemi

Egyptian President Said to Prepare Martial Law Decree http://goo.gl/dODke by @kirkpatrickNYT #2011

...

In a statement read on state television, a military spokesman warned Saturday of “disastrous consequences” if the crisis gripping Egypt was not resolved and he urged new dialogue as "the best and only way" to overcome the standoff. The military also pledged to protect state institutions, according to media reports.

“President Morsi will soon issue a decision for the participation of the armed forces in the duties of maintaining security and protection of vital state institutions until the constitution is approved and legislative elections are finished,” the state newspaper Al Ahram reported, suggesting that the martial law would last until at least February. Parliamentary elections are expected to be held two months after the constitutional referendum, which is scheduled for next Saturday.

The paper reported that the defense minister would determine the scope of the military’s role. Military officers would be authorized to act as police and “to use force to the extent necessary to perform their duty,” the newspaper said.

A need to rely on the military to secure a referendum to approve the new charter could undermine Mr. Morsi’s efforts to present the documents as an expression of national consensus that might resolve the crisis.

...

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/09/world/middleeast/egypt-protests.html?_r=1&