Egyptian army sets 48-hour ultimatum

[Jimbuna]

Islamist President Mohammed Morsi has had a year to put Egypts house in order but the first signs that the armed forces are dissatisfied appear to be coming to the surface.

The head of the armed forces described Sunday's protests as an "unprecedented" expression of the popular will.
But in a statement read out by a spokesman on state television on Monday evening, Gen Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said the army would not get involved in politics or government.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-23133174

[Wolferz]

Their military won't get involved in politics or government?
But they're issuing ultimatums with a deadline?
Let the people find and elect another puppet.
Huh?

[Jimbuna]

Certainly mixed messages at such an early stage but the army has a history of getting involved so I'm wondering if they're covering themselves with statements where they can say they were justified in the eventual action they took.

[Herr-Berbunch]

That's the way to treat your electorates. Contempt and aggression (or attempt to), works the world over.

[August]

The strife going on in Egypt is not the fault of the military. The way they see it is whether to stand by and watch their country tear itself apart or step up and tell both sides to cool it.

It can be a fine line to walk.

[Oberon]

The military would probably do a better job of it than the current administration...

I can see a 'Government of national unity' being created within the next week or two, how long it'll last will depend how long it's propped up by the military...but for the moment the military are loved by the people...the same people who were protesting against them a year ago for supposedly supporting Mubarak.

[HundertzehnGustav]

Originally Posted by August

The strife going on in Egypt is not the fault of the military. The way they see it is whether to stand by and watch their country tear itself apart or step up and tell both sides to cool it.

It can be a fine line to walk.

the military have a difficult position in this.
last year, they tried to get a place in teh system, but for a reason or another... didnt.
Now they play the Ref.

i hope they stick to that position, for the leaders of the army are Egyptians themselves...

and nothing would be sadder than an army-run egypt.

I hope Egypt becomes what it once was - a place of bright people looking for wisdom and knowledge, of civilisation and stability.

[Jimbuna]

Well Morsi is adamant he won't change direction so the ball will be back in the armies court in a day or so.

[soopaman2]

The army... Yeah, military always knows best.

I have flashbacks of how Musharraf (sp?) of Pakistan came into power.

This is a power grab disgused as a noble peaceloving gesture to the rest of the world.

The world will allow it, as Morsi ended up being more extreme than Mubarak.

But what will the people inherit...?

[Mr Quatro]

Did you see all of the Egyptian army helicopters flying over the rioting crowds flying the national colors?

That was really cool and a sign to whose side they are on.

Seems this rioting has unity with the same people that were fighting each other last year now joining together against the Islamist President Morsi and the brotherhood rules being exacted on the nation.

From Turkey to Egypt things are not going well for the brotherhood.

[Stealhead]

Well the Army has the support of every Egyptian that is not pro Morsi.I do not feel that it is a power grab if the Army want to grab power they could have done it at any time.

[Stealhead]

Originally Posted by soopaman2

I have flashbacks of how Musharraf (sp?) of Pakistan came into power.

That is a poor example he came into power under an obvious coup.

In this case the army has no choice unless they want to allow the entire government to collapse which would be much worse.In some countries the military really is the best option as head of government.

[Jimbuna]

That may well be the only option now unless political stability can be restored which I somehow doubt.

[Oberon]

There's little doubt that what happens in Egypt over the coming days is going to be watched very carefully by the Middle East and Northern Africa alike, being the linchpin between the two.

[Stealhead]

Originally Posted by Oberon

There's little doubt that what happens in Egypt over the coming days is going to be watched very carefully by the Middle East and Northern Africa alike, being the linchpin between the two.

I would say that The United States will also be observing with great interest.