Egypt’s Morsi accused of complicity in protest deaths

Egyptian women from the Muslim Brotherhood shout slogans and hold portraits of ousted president, Mohamed Morsi, as they gather in Cairo to attend a march in his support on August 11, 2013

Source: Press TV

http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2013/08/19/319523/morsi-charged-over-protest-deaths/

Ousted Egyptian president, Mohamed Morsi, has been accused of complicity in the deaths and torture of demonstrators outside his presidential palace in 2012, judicial sources say.

On Monday, Egypt’s prosecution extended Morsi’s detention for another 15 days which starts from next week. He already stands accused of crimes related to his 2011 escape from jail.

In December 2012, violent clashes erupted between Morsi’s supporters and opponents in the capital, Cairo, after he issued a controversial constitutional declaration in November of the same year to expand his powers.

On December 5, five people were killed in the clashes between backers and opponents of Morsi in the capital.

Earlier in July, a court in the Arab country ordered Morsi's detention over allegations of collaboration with Palestinian resistance movement, Hamas, “to undertake aggressive acts in the country, as well as attacking police facilities, officers and soldiers.”

On August 12, the Egyptian Judiciary extended the Morsi’s detention pending an inquiry into his alleged links with Hamas.

Morsi was due to be questioned on whether he collaborated with Hamas in attacks on police stations and prison breaks in early 2011, when he and some members of the Muslim Brotherhood escaped from jail during a revolution against the regime of former dictator, Hosni Mubarak.

Hamas reacted to the allegations on July 26 and condemned Morsi’s detention, saying “it is based on the premise that the Hamas movement is hostile.”

The movement’s spokesman, Sami Abu Zuhri, noted, “This is a dangerous development, which confirms that the current powers in Egypt are giving up on national causes and even using these issues to deal with other parties - first among them the Palestinian cause.”

Egypt plunged into chaos after the head of the country’s armed forces, General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, ousted Morsi on July 3, suspended the constitution and dissolved the parliament.

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Egypt must now throw off Zionist yoke: Analyst

 

Egyptians protest against ousted President Mohamed Morsi and the Muslim Brotherhood in Cairo’s landmark Liberation square. (File photo)

Source: Press TV

http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2013/07/04/312253/egypt-must-now-throw-off-zionist-yoke/

A political analyst says Egypt must rid itself of the domination of the Zionist regime of Israel, which has been plaguing the Middle East, or it will face secession and be lost, Press TV reports.

In an article published on Press TV website on Thursday, co-founder of the Global Justice Movement, Rodney Shakespeare, said Egyptians are well aware that their overthrow of the Western-backed dictator Hosni Mubarak did not result in a genuine revolution as it failed to end Western and Zionist control, which continued under Mohamed Morsi in a different form.

“Egypt must express the will of millions in the Middle East or it will continue to be controlled and crushed. It must throw off the Zionist yoke or it will be forever unable to resist the expansion of the Zionist entity into the lands of others,” Shakespeare wrote in his article.

He further warned Egypt against the sectarian plots by Israel, the US, and their regional allies in Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Shakespeare also cautioned that Egyptians’ failure in moving forward in a democratic course will put them under permanent control of "Western finance capitalism."

The expert called on the Egyptian nation to build a democratic future for their country and limit the role of the military so that their 2011 revolution that toppled Mubarak would not go to waste.

Shakespeare questioned the army’s motives in overthrowing Morsi and warned against the “illusion that the Egyptian Army has suddenly become a genuine force for democracy and anti-Zionism,” stressing that the Egyptian armed forces receive a large sum of money from the United States and remain in control of about one quarter of the country’s economy.

He further called on Egypt to establish new economic and political alliances with the Non-aligned Movement nations instead of the US and its allies, fully open the Rafah border crossing into the Israeli-blockaded Gaza Strip, and clearly reject support for the foreign-backed militants and Takfiri extremists in Syria.

The economics professor also insisted that Egypt must make a landmark decision and establish a genuinely independent national bank in an open rejection of the International Monetary Fund, which he said was to blame for putting Egypt into permanent debt and pushing the country deeper into poverty.

Shakespeare finally called on Egyptian politicians to avoid narrow party politics that is concerned with the economic interests of only one section of the society.

"It [Egypt] must proclaim that everybody’s economic interest, although it may take time, will be promoted,” he said


 

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Morsi ousted, constitution suspended, army in control (PHOTOS, VIDEO)

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President Mohamed Morsi was stripped of his power and detained by the Egyptian army as the constitution has been suspended. Those gathered on Cairo’s Tahrir Square welcomed the news with cheers, although post-coup Egypt remains highly unstable.

Morsi has reportedly been detained, separated from other officials and taken to a Ministry of Defense facility, according to the Muslim Brotherhood. Arrest warrants have been issued for some 300 members of the Islamist movement. The head of the Muslim Brotherhood’s Freedom and Justice Party, Saad El-Katatni, as well as Muslim Brotherhood’s deputy chief, Khairet el Shater, were arrested.

"The address of the president yesterday did not meet the demands of the masses of the people," General Abdel Fattah el-Sisi said in a statement, adding the military held talks with various groups throughout Wednesday to work out a roadmap "putting an end to the state of division."

Millions across Egypt erupted into celebrations after the announcement by the military was made, with crowds chanting pro-army slogans and setting off fireworks.

“The mood remains one of jubilance. All of this however against a backdrop of a deeply divided and dangerous Egypt,” RT’s Paula Slier reported from Tahrir Square early on Thursday morning.

Morsi had earlier stated that he does not recognize the "military coup" and called on Egyptians to stand against it.

Supporters of the ousted President clashed with the anti-government activists overnight with the death toll amounting to 32 people.

“We are being told that the army is making its way to a pro-Morsi demonstration outside Cairo University. It is trying to isolate pro-Morsi demonstrators,” Slier reported from Cairo, saying the situation their remains fluid.

Meanwhile, an Egyptian security official in the border area with Israel, speaking on condition of anonymity, has confirmed that about 50 tanks were deployed in the area overnight.

 

Protesters, who are against Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi, react in Tahrir Square in Cairo July 3, 2013 (Reuters / Suhaib Salem)

The military have taken Al-Jazeera’s Egyptian broadcast off air. Its offices in Cairo were reportedly raided and at least five members of staff arrested. All media outlets associated with the Muslim Brotherhood have gone black.

In his first decision following Morsi's ouster, Egyptian Interior Minister Mohamed Ibrahim moved to close all “religious channels,” which include the Salafi oriented Al-Nas and Al-Hafez channels, reports the Egypt Independent. However, it came to light early Thursday morning that all detained heads of religious TV channels had been released from custody.

It was further announced that Egypt's chief justice of the constitutional court, Judge Adly Mansour, is set to become the interim president

"The military's roadmap consists of dissolving the constitution and holding early presidential elections," Sisi stated. He called for a panel would review the constitution and a national reconciliation committee which would include youth movements. He said the roadmap had been approved by a range of political groups.

The time frame of the presidential and parliamentary elections will be determined by an interim administration, the spokesman told Reuters.

 

An image grab taken from Egyptian state TV shows Egyptian Defence Minister Abdelfatah al-Sissi delivering a statement on July 3, 2013 announcing the ousting of Islamist President Mohamed Morsi (AFP Photo / Egyptian TV)

Egyptian opposition leader Mohamed El-Baradei said the Arab Spring revolution has been relaunched as a result of the army-sponsored roadmap.

He added that the roadmap met demands for early presidential elections as called for by the liberal coalition. Egypt’s second largest Islamist group, the Nour Party, has also agreed to the army’s roadmap.

Egypt's Pope Tawadros, head of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Egypt, says the roadmap ensures security for all Egyptians and offers a political vision, local media reported.

World leaders urge non-violence and return to democracy

US President Barack Obama on Wednesday called for Egypt’s military to “move quickly and responsibly to return full authority back to a democratically elected civilian government.” Obama also outlined in his statement the expectation that the military would “ensure that the rights of all Egyptian men and women are protected, including the right to peaceful assembly, due process, and free and fair trials.”

Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT), the chairman of the budget committee for the State Department and foreign assistance, slammed the ouster of Morsi in a statement, warning Egypt that US aid to the country may subsequently be cut off. The US currently provides Egypt with some $1.5 billion in annual financial assistance, most of which is in the form of military aid.

“Egypt’s military leaders say they have no intent or desire to govern, and I hope they make good on their promise. In the meantime, our law is clear: US aid is cut off when a democratically elected government is deposed by military coup or decree.”

 

An Egyptian family on motorcycle celebrates in Cairo on July 3, 2013 after a broadcast confirming that the army will temporarily be taking over from the country's first democratically elected president Mohammed Morsi (AFP Photo / Khaled Desouki)

Senator Leahy has authored the most recent stipulations on US military aid to Egypt, which were enacted last year. Though, as Leahy’s own website notes, former secretary of state Hillary Clinton and her incumbent John Kerry had previously “used their authority to waive the Leahy conditions.”

By contrast, President Obama’s statements on the Egyptian military’s actions also mentioned aid, but were more general in nature. The president said his administration was "concerned," and that there would be a review of aid given to the country.

The US ordered a mandatory evacuation of its embassy on Wednesday, and announced a travel advisory for all citizens.

The European Union has urged Egypt to return to civilian rule and the restrain from the use of force.

“I urge all sides to rapidly return to the democratic process, including the holding of free and fair presidential and parliamentary elections and the approval of a constitution,” EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said in a statement. “I strongly condemn all violent acts, offer my condolences to the families of the victims, and urge the security forces to do everything in their power to protect the lives and well-being of Egyptian citizens,” she added.

 

Fireworks light up the sky as Hundreds of thousands of Egyptians celebrate after Egytptian Defense Minister Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's speech announcing The Egyptian army toppling Islamist President Mohamed Morsi in Egypt's landmark Tahrir square on July 3, 2013 in Cairo, Egypt AFP Photo / Khaled Desouki)

UN chief Ban Ki-Moon urged non-violence in Egypt and called on the people to stay calm and show restraint, also urging dialogue between the country's political factions.

Gulf nations welcomed the ouster of Morsi. Saudi Arabian King Abdullah sent a message of congratulations to the head of the Egyptian Constitutional Court, Adli Mansour, who had been appointed as interim head of state.

"In my own name and on behalf of the people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, I congratulate you on assuming the leadership of Egypt at this critical point of its history," the message cited by SPA state news agency reads.

The United Arab Emirates have expressed their satisfaction with the developments in Egypt, according to the WAM state news agency which cited the country’s Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahayan as saying that “the great Egyptian army was able to prove again that they are the fence of Egypt and that they are the protector and strong shield that guarantee Egypt will remain a state of institutions and law."

 

 

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Millions take to the streets in Egypt to demand Morsi resignation

UPDATED: July 02 - 2013 - 6:00 AM EST

Protesters opposing Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi set off fireworks during a protest at Tahrir Square in Cairo June 30, 2013. (Reuters)

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Huge crowds have gathered across Egypt to demand the resignation of President Mohammed Morsi on the first anniversary of his inauguration. But Morsi loyalists are staging counter-demonstrations, saying they will defend the leader with all means available.

Seven people have been killed and hundreds were injured on Sunday as millions took to the streets. Five dead were shot in Nile Valley towns south of Cairo and two were killed in violence outside the Muslim Brotherhood's headquarters in the capital.

"It is the biggest protest in Egypt's history," a military source told AFP on condition of anonymity.

The opposition released a statement early on Monday demanding President Mohammed Morsi step down by Tuesday at 5pm. The movement also called on “police, army and judiciary” to support the people’s will. If Morsi fails to resign by Tuesday, civil disobedience will continue throughout the country.

From early on Sunday, throngs streamed towards Tahrir Square in Cairo – the birthplace of the protests that displaced former president Hosni Mubarak in 2011 – under the rallying cry of “Leave, Morsi! Leave!”. The organizers, an activist movement called Tamarod, or Rebellion, asked demonstrators – who include pro-democratic secularists, religious minorities, and those suffering in Egypt’s stuttering economy – to leave their party allegiances at home, and bring only national flags to the rally.

“Morsi you have split the people!” chanted the crowd, with some holding placards saying “Freedom to Egypt!”. On the edges of the square banners declared “No Muslim Brotherhood members allowed beyond this point”.

 

Protesters wave Egyptian flags as demonstrators opposing Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi shout slogans against him and Brotherhood members during a protest at Tahrir Square in Cairo June 30, 2013. (Reuters/Mohamed Abd El Ghany)

Although, the organized demonstration was scheduled for the evening, even by mid-afternoon, several hundred thousand people squeezed into the increasingly tight space. Tamarod says it is expecting up to 7 million people to eventually join the long-planned protest, with large demonstrations scheduled in every significant population center.

Tamarod says that since April it has gathered more than 22 million signatures demanding Morsi’s resignation, far more than the 13 million votes the long-time Muslim Brotherhood member received in his narrow run-off victory a year ago. Organizers say the president must quit immediately and dissolve the Islamist-dominated Shura Council, the upper chamber of parliament that has been in charge of lawmaking for the past year.

Additionally, protesters are appealing for a re-start on the suspended drafting of a new constitution. Failure to agree on a new founding charter in the wake of Mubarak’s toppling has contributed to the gridlock that has paralyzed the country’s political institutions. A new parliamentary election is also on the list of demands, after the Supreme Court dismissed the pro-Morsi lower house of the legislative assembly last year immediately following the vote, for alleged procedural violations in the run-up to the balloting

 

An opponent of Egypt's Islamist President Mohamed Morsi shouts slogans while waving his national flag during a protest calling for his ouster outside the presidential palace in Cairo on June 30, 2013 (AFP Photo / Khaled Desouki)

On Sunday night, anti-Morsi activists torched the office of the Freedom and Justice Party (FJP), the Muslim Brotherhood’s political arm, in the city of Beni Suef, and one man was killed in a later street battle between pro and anti-Morsi activists in the same city.

Anti-Morsi protesters also tried to storm the heavily-fortified headquarters of the Muslim Brotherhood on Sunday evening, using shotguns, rocks and firebombs, but were repelled.

At least five other offices of the FJP and the Brotherhood have been set on fire in the past week, with seven dead and more than 600 injured, according to local newspapers

 

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Opposition activists have successfully blocked off several highways and railroads between major urban centers. At some sites state media reported that police officers joined in chanting anti-Morsi slogans with the protesters. Senior interior security force officers have openly clashed with Morsi, and the police has said that it “lacks manpower” to protect Muslim Brotherhood properties around the country, despite repeated attacks.

 

Protesters opposing Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi waves Egyptian flags during a protest in front of the presidential palace in Cairo June 30, 2013. (Reuters/Suhaib Salem)

Despite rising tension, Morsi has decisively rejected the protesters’ calls.

"If we changed someone in office who was elected according to constitutional legitimacy – well, there will be people opposing the new president too, and a week or a month later they will ask him to step down,” the president told the Guardian newspaper on the eve of the demonstrations.

He has also dismissed the crowd as “remnants of the old regime”, and the protesters as “paid-up thugs.”

“Any revolution has its enemies and there are some people who are trying to obstruct the path of the Egyptian people towards democracy,” Morsi summed up.

This is unlikely to pacify those in Tahrir Square crying out for a “second revolution”.

Opposition figures say Morsi has mishandled the mandate handed to him a year ago by attempting to monopolize power, sidelining all those who do not share his religious and political vision. They cite the insertion of divisive Islamic articles into the proposed text of the new constitution, en-masse appointment of Muslim Brotherhood officials to key posts, and a decree that removed the Supreme Court’s authority to challenge the president’s decisions as some of the major missteps

 

Thousands of opponents of Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi pray during a protest calling for his ouster at Cairo's landmark Tahrir Square on June 30, 2013 (AFP Photo / Khaled Desouki)

They also say that the president has failed to revive the economy. Despite GDP growth of 2.2 percent last year, the country has been plagued by electricity and fuel shortages that have seen huge queues form outside petrol stations. Income in tourist areas has also plummeted after two years of instability and anti-Western pronouncements by Morsi-supporting radical clerics.

“We gave Morsi the permit to drive; he doesn't know how to drive. The country is decaying and is failing, this is not Egypt and this is not the revolution,” Mohammed ElBaradei, Nobel Peace Prize winner, and opposition politician said ahead of the rallies.

With strident language on both sides, the stand-off is unlikely to resolve neatly.

Since Friday, Morsi supporters have camped outside a mosque in Nasr City, on the other side of Cairo. Brandishing green Islamic flags, some were wearing home-made armor, and most told journalists they would be ready to physically fight for the “legitimate” president

 

Supporters of Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi shout slogans during a protest around the Raba El-Adwyia mosque square in Nasr City, a suburb of Cairo, June 30, 2013 (Reuters)

“If there is treason, we are here,” warned Ahmed Abdel Azeez, a Brotherhood member, in an interview with New York Times.

The army, which stepped in to temporarily assume power following the clashes that followed Mubarak’s unseating, said it will not tolerate an “attack on the will of the people” or allow Egypt to enter “a dark tunnel of conflict”. The ambiguous remarks, uttered by defense minister Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, have been taken to mean by local media that the army will not interfere in the course of the protests, unless direct confrontation between the conflicting factions takes place.

On Sunday, army helicopters flew over the Cairo skyline and heavier than usual army cordons were deployed around key sites, including government buildings and the Suez Canal. Mechanized infantry units have been placed around Tahrir Square itself, and all hospitals in major cities are on standby.

The country’s land borders have also been sealed.

US, Qatar and Belgium are amongst states that have officially revealed that they are withdrawing their diplomats for the duration of the showdown. On Sunday Cairo airport was crowded with foreign nationals and wealthy Egyptians attempting to leave the country on predominantly fully-booked flights

 

Protesters opposing Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi shout slogans against him and Brotherhood members during a protest at Tahrir Square in Cairo June 30, 2013. (Reuters/Mohamed Abd El Ghany)
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Update: July 01 – 2013 – 2:45 PM EST

People’s demands must be met: Egypt military chief

 

 

Opponents of Egypt President Mohamed Morsi shout slogans during a protest calling for his ouster in the northern city of Alexandria on June 30, 2013

News Source: Press TV

http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2013/07/01/311751/egyptians-demands-must-be-met-army/

The Egyptian army has given politicians 48 hours to meet the demands of the people and resolve the ongoing political crisis in the African country.

The Commander-in-Chief of the Egyptian Armed Forces General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said in a Monday statement that if political forces fail to agree to the popular demands, the military will offer its own road map to end the crisis.

“If the demands of the people are not realized within the defined period, it will be incumbent upon (the armed forces) ... to announce a road map for the future,” said the statement by al-Sisi.

He further said the Egyptian people have expressed their will with “unprecedented” clarity in their nationwide protests, adding, “Wasting more time will lead only to more division ... which we have warned and continue to warn against.”

The military also said it will supervise the execution of its roadmap “with the participation of all factions and national parties, including young people.” However, al-Sisi rejected the army’s direct involvement in politics or government.

The military warning comes after the opposition set July 2 as a deadline for President Mohamed Morsi to step down.

“We give Mohamed Morsi until 5:00 p.m. (1500 GMT) on Tuesday, July 2, to leave power, allowing state institutions to prepare for early presidential elections,” said a Monday statement by Egypt’s opposition movement of Tamarod.

The massive protests on Sunday came on the first anniversary of Morsi’s inauguration as president following the 2011 revolution that toppled the Western-backed regime of Hosni Mubarak.

The demonstrators are angry at Morsi's handling of the economy and failure to fulfill his electoral promises .

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Egyptian opposition politician welcomes army statement

News Source: Press TV

http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2013/07/01/311766/egypt-politician-hails-army-statement/

Leading Egyptian opposition figure Amr Moussa has welcomed a statement by the country’s army which gave politicians 48 hours to resolve the ongoing political crisis in Egypt.

“Wasting more time will make things worse. The invitation to meet the demands of the people within the next few hours is a historical opportunity which should not be lost,” Moussa said in a Monday statement.

Earlier in the day, the Commander-in-Chief of the Egyptian Armed Forces General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said in a statement that “if the demands of the people are not realized within the defined period, it will be incumbent upon (the armed forces) ... to announce a road map for the future.”

The military’s statement further said the Egyptian people have expressed their will with “unprecedented” clarity in their nationwide protests, adding, “Wasting more time will lead only to more division ... which we have warned and continue to warn against.”

In reaction to the military’s statement, Mahmud Ghozlan who is a senior leader of Muslim Brotherhood said that it is “studying” the statement, adding that their political bureau will meet to “decide on its position.”

On Sunday, anti-government protesters flooded the streets across Egypt, calling for the resignation of President Mohamed Morsi.

On Monday, the Egyptian Health Ministry said 16 people had lost their lives the day before, including eight people who were killed in clashes between supporters and opponents of Morsi outside the Muslim Brotherhood headquarters in the capital, Cairo.

On Monday morning, the protesters attacked the headquarters in the eastern Moqattam District and looted it. The six-story building was also set on fire.

Meanwhile, reports say that Egyptian security forces have arrested 15 bodyguards of top Muslim Brotherhood leader Khairat El-Shater on Monday .

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Update: July 02 – 2013 – 6:00 AM EST

Morsi's office rejects army ultimatum

 

Opponents of Egypt's President Mohamed Morsi protest outside the presidential palace in Cairo on June 30, 2013

News Source: Press TV

http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2013/07/02/311815/morsis-office-rejects-army-ultimatum/

The office of Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi says it rejects the army’s ultimatum, which gave the government 48 hours to resolve the current national crisis.

In a statement issued on Monday, the office said that some phrases in the ultimatum could create confusion, AFP reported.

It said it denounces "any declaration that would deepen division" and "threaten the social peace" in the country.

The statement added that the presidency would continue on its own path towards national reconciliation.

President Morsi was consulting "with all national forces to secure the path of democratic change and the protection of the popular will," according to the statement.

"The civil democratic Egyptian state is one of the most important achievements of the January 25 revolution," it pointed out, nothing that "Egypt will absolutely not permit any step backward whatever the circumstances," it said.

Earlier in the day, Egypt's army said it would intervene if Morsi and his opponents fail to resolve the crisis in the country in 48 hours.

On Sunday, millions of Egyptians demonstrated in cities nationwide to demand Morsi's resignation and early presidential elections.

The country’s Health Ministry said 16 people were killed in Sunday’s demonstrations.

The massive protests on Sunday came on the first anniversary of Morsi’s inauguration as president following the 2011 revolution that toppled the Western-backed regime of former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.

The protests continued on Monday. The opposition movement behind the protests -- Tamarod (Arabic for Rebellion) -- has given Morsi until 5:00 p.m. (1500 GMT) on Tuesday to step down and call fresh presidential elections, or else face a campaign of civil disobedience.

Several political groups say the government is dominated by the Muslim Brotherhood. The opposition also accuses Morsi of deviating from the 2011 revolution

 

Egypt FM tenders resignation

 

Foreign Minister Kamel Amr (File photo)

News Source: Press TV

http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2013/07/02/311839/egypt-fm-tenders-resignation/

Egyptian Foreign Minister Kamel Amr has tendered his resignation, as massive protests continue against the country’s President Mohamed Morsi.

The ministers of tourism, environment, communication and legal affairs also submitted their letters of resignation to Prime Minister Hisham Qandil on Monday, a day after widespread pro and anti-government demonstrations all across the country, in which at least 16 people were killed and hundreds more were wounded.

On July 1, the Egyptian army gave President Morsi a 48-hour ultimatum to resolve the political crisis in the African country, which followed the opposition movement’s resignation deadline for Morsi.

However, the Egyptian president dismissed the army’s statement as an attempt to “deepen divisions and threaten the social peace.”

Morsi also announced in a statement issued on Tuesday that he would continue with his own plans for national reconciliation.

The massive protests came on the first anniversary of Morsi’s inauguration as president following the 2011 revolution that toppled the Western-backed regime of Hosni Mubarak.

In a televised address on June 26, Morsi said the polarization of the country’s political life is “threatening to paralyze” Egypt.

He also acknowledged that he had made some mistakes during his first year in office but called for national reconciliation, saying that he was open to cooperating with the opposition on constitutional reform.

On June 27, Egypt’s main opposition coalition, the National Salvation Front (NSF), rejected the offer, demanding the ouster of the incumbent president .

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Opposition arrests in Kuwait Political standoff deepens

 

Kuwaiti MP Msallam al-Barrak (C) speaks to the press during a protest outside the national assembly in Kuwait City. (AFP Photo / Yasser Al-Zayyat)

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Three former opposition Kuwaiti MPs were ordered to be detained for three days on Friday. They were accused of politically undermining the emir by criticizing him publicly at an opposition rally, an illegal act in the US-backed oil nation.

­The three, Falah al-Sawwagh, Bader al-Dahum and Khaled al-Tahus, criticized Emir Sheik Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah at an opposition rally on October 10, protesting alleged government plans to manipulate election results.

“Two former [Islamist] MPs, Falah al-Sawwagh and Bader al-Dahum, have just been arrested by the state security police," former deputy Mussallam al-Barrak, told AFP reporters.

The three MPs were questioned for nine hours by authorities before finally being taken into custody on Friday.

More arrests are expected in the wake of repeated demonstrations, some of which have turned violent. Four were wounded and six arrested as police used batons to disperse some 5,000 protestors on Tuesday, October 16, angry over the political deadlock that has gripped the country for months.

Sheik Sabah dissolved the Kuwaiti parliament on October 7 to prevent opposition Islamist groups from gaining more power in the government. A parliamentary election in February gave Islamists control of the 50-seat parliament. The dissolution started a 60-day deadline to hold new elections.

Al-Barrak also broke the law by directly addressing the emir at the October 16 protest, saying, "We won't let you rule this country on your own."

“We are not scared of your new batons nor the jails you have built … violence will only lead to counter-violence…Kuwaiti people will not allow the country to be governed through an autocratic rule," he told the crowd.

It is illegal under Kuwait’s constitution to criticize the emir, who by law must be from the Al-Sabah family, a clan that has been in power for over 250 years.

Kuwait is a member of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) nation and its plentiful oil-based economy make it the fifth-richest nation in the world. It is also a major non-NATO US ally, and the main hub for all US military operations in the area.

The movement for government reforms have placed united several groups with greatly differing beliefs on how the country should proceed. There is however, a sense of caution expressed by liberals at the agenda of the Islamists.

Bassam Al-Asoussi, a member of the liberal Democratic Forum political bloc, said “Yes, the government has many shortcomings indeed, but [the opposition leaders] aren't the people who will save the country," he said, AP reports. "They are regressive, not progressive.”

The emir has until December to hold new elections in the hopes that he can counter the upswing in reform sentiments.

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