EGYPT: Muslim Brotherhood rally steps up pressure on military

Supporters of Mohamed Morsi, the Islamist who reportedly won Egypt’s presidential runoff, pray during a rally in Tahrir Square in Cairo. (Amr Nabil / Associated Press / June 19, 2012)

CAIRO, Egypt — The Muslim Brotherhood increased pressure on Egypt's military rulers Tuesday by rallying thousands of protesters in Tahrir Square to rekindle a revolution that has lost much of its focus and edge since the massive demonstrations that last year brought down longtime leader Hosni Mubarak.



 The Brotherhood's return to the street comes as it files lawsuits to overturn a court decision to dissolve the Islamist-dominated parliament and an army plan to weaken presidential powers. The country's new president is projected to be Brotherhood candidate Mohamed Morsi. Egyptian news media reported that he defeated Ahmed Shafik, an ally of Mubarak, by an estimated 1 million votes in last weekend's runoff election. Official results are expected Wednesday.


 The Brotherhood joined activist groups, such as the April 6 movement, in Tahrir to draw on public resentment over the military's recent actions and infuse new momentum into a revolution that has stumbled over egos, competing political visions and crackdowns by security forces. Protests spread to Alexandria, Suez and other cities.


 "The Egyptian people will not stop making sacrifices and will continue the revolution in order to ensure their sovereignty and prevent the domination of the [military] and their coup against democracy," said a statement issued by the Brotherhood's Freedom and Justice Party.


 Abdelhaleem Mohamed held a pink sign demanding an end to military rule and marched into the square as crowds began gathering before dusk. By late evening, thousands of protesters were in the square, but the numbers appeared to be fewer than in previous marches endorsed by the Brotherhood.


 The Brotherhood's reemergence in Tahrir was driven by political necessity and shrinking options. Less than a week ago, Islamists controlled the parliament and were closing in on the presidency, which would have given them control of two branches of government. But with the parliament shuttered by a court edict and Morsi, if he did win the election, facing limited presidential authority, the Brotherhood was forced into bolder tactics.


 Provoking the army with demonstrations raises the danger of bloodshed. The generals expanded martial law last week, and it is unclear whether they or the Brotherhood want to risk tipping the nation into fresh unrest. Outrage against the military is widening, but the army enjoys the support of millions of rich and poor Egyptians who demand an end to more than a year of turmoil that has shaken financial markets and eroded foreign investment.


 "Why do we rush to the word 'confrontation'?" Yasser Ali, a Brotherhood spokesman, said at a news conference. "We do not seek any confrontation with anyone. No one in Egypt wants confrontation.... There has to be dialogue between national forces, and the people alone must decide their fate."


 The rally also sought to redeem the Brotherhood's revolutionary credibility. Critics have accused the organization of abandoning the uprising to further its political aims by cooperating with the army ahead of parliamentary elections. That was the scenario for months but the Brotherhood, even as it negotiates with the military on presidential powers, has been outflanked by generals opposed to the prospect of a state based on political Islam.


 Many activists and revolutionary groups remain suspicious of the Brotherhood. The fear they have been trapped in a larger game of political brinkmanship between the Brotherhood and the army. The Brotherhood is often regarded as too rooted in a religious agenda to embrace civil rights and other democratic principles that propelled the uprising.


 The Islamists so far have been stalled by judges and generals. The constitutional decree by the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, or SCAF, gives the military legislative and executive powers, including drafting the national budget. The new president will have no authority over the military leadership and would need the generals' permission to declare war.


 "While SCAF dissolves parliament and implements laws allowing military police and intelligence agencies the right to arrest citizens, the former ruling party is getting ready to run in the next parliamentary elections," said Fatma Enany, standing in the square amid banging drums and chanting. "The old regime wants to return to power and the military is watching their backs."