The Middle East Revolution [2010-2011] Thread: I love baton - General

Egyptian state television airs segment with new interior minister promoting new initiative, "Police Serving the People" , ya right.!

I just love how the police forces desperately try and fail at making the protesters/army look bad. Last week I made a bet that revolution would come before Thursday. From what I can gather it seems very likely. Also, a huge thanks to everyone, especially Pharaoh for giving constant updates about the situation and how things are with OP.

[QUOTE=Xenocidebot;27786865]Heh. In an ideal world... I've got to ask- what percentage of Egyptians are really opposed to Mubie? It seems strange that you keep hearing about the military as not being hostile to the protesters and the huge numbers turning out, and yet there isn't, say, a coup.[/QUOTE] There's stilll the armed, conscripted and brainwashed police. The army is probably just waiting to see if things can go in a more peaceful way before they try to force themselves through the police, which could start shooting.

police vs army this is crazy

[QUOTE=TrulliLulli;27792718]cairo is fucking big, the stuff in the picture is probably still there[/QUOTE] The streets and building in that picture are clean. Go to places like that nowadays and the streets are not in the best condition, buildings dilapidated, and infrastructure questionable. Mubarak only developed more for corporate concerns and partners in his state, and where ever tourists may see. Everything else he left to rot and stagnate, which is the story of Egypt under his time.

Wonderful discrepancy - AJE reports 2 million at Tahrir while the BBC goes for 200,000. I can't visualize either :saddowns: Edit: AJE's down to "about a million".

Don't think that if Mubarak leaves that Egypt will suddenly become a wonderful freedom loving country. It's more likely that some extremists like the Muslim Brotherhood will get in and just make it worse.

I'm certain though the people will rise up again if needed.

Just thought to share with you guys! [img]http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/6118/800xv.jpg[/img] [quote]A member of the Egyptian special forces stands guard on the main floor of the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, Egypt, Monday, Jan. 31, 2011. Would-be looters broke into Cairo's famed Egyptian Museum, ripping the heads off two mummies and damaging about 75 small artifacts before being caught and detained by army soldiers, Egypt's antiquities chief said Saturday. Dr. Zahi Hawass, Director for the Supreme Council of Antiquities in Egypt, said the vandals did not manage to steal any of the museum's antiquities, and that the prized collection was now safe and under military guard. [/quote] [img]http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/7374/800xs.jpg[/img] [img]http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/8131/800xr.jpg[/img] [img]http://img834.imageshack.us/img834/5373/800xc.jpg[/img] [img]http://img819.imageshack.us/img819/3558/800xyu.jpg[/img] [quote]Dr. Zahi Hawass, Director for the Supreme Council of Antiquities, right, talks on the phone as a member of the Egyptian special forces stands guard inside the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, Egypt, Monday, Jan. 31, 2011. Would-be looters broke into Cairo's famed Egyptian Museum, ripping the heads off two mummies and damaging about 75 small artifacts before being caught and detained by army soldiers, Egypt's antiquities chief said Saturday. Dr. Hawass, said the vandals did not manage to steal any of the museum's antiquities, and that the prized collection was now safe and under military guard. [/quote] [img]http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/9092/800xjt.jpg[/img] [quote]A member of the Egyptian special forces stands guard in front of a locked gate housing the permanent collection of King Tutankhamun in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, Egypt, Monday, Jan. 31, 2011. Would-be looters broke into Cairo's famed Egyptian Museum, ripping the heads off two mummies and damaging about 75 small artifacts before being caught and detained by army soldiers, Egypt's antiquities chief said Saturday. Dr. Zahi Hawass, Director for the Supreme Council of Antiquities in Egypt, said the vandals did not manage to steal any of the museum's antiquities, and that the prized collection was now safe and under military guard. [/quote] [img]http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/9093/800xk.jpg[/img] [img]http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/2976/800xal.jpg[/img] [img]http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/3101/800xky.jpg[/img] [img]http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/18/800xmi.jpg[/img] [img]http://img831.imageshack.us/img831/7374/800xs.jpg[/img] [img]http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/8863/800xq.jpg[/img] [img]http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/7461/x800e.jpg[/img] [quote]Egyptian special forces secure the main floor inside the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, Egypt, Monday, Jan. 31, 2011. Would-be looters broke into Cairo's famed Egyptian Museum on Saturday Jan. 29, 2011, ripping the heads off two mummies and damaging some artifacts before being caught and detained by army soldiers, Egypt's antiquities chief Zahi Hawass said Saturday, while reporting that the vandals did not manage to steal any of the museum's antiquities, and that the prized collection is secure from thieves and under military guard. [/quote] [img]http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/5548/x800.jpg[/img] [img]http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/9700/800xmr.jpg[/img] [quote]An Egyptian soldier prepares to shoot rounds in the air to disperse angry protestors who attacked a civilian thinking he was a plainclothes policeman, on January 31, 2011 in Cairos Tahrir square during the biggest anti-government protests in three decades in a bid to topple President Hosni Mubarak's creaking regime. [/quote] [img]http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/2226/800xe.jpg[/img] [quote]A soldier controls the traffic next to a tank, on a bridge over the River Nile in Cairo, Egypt, Monday Jan. 31, 2011. A coalition of opposition groups called for a million people to take to Cairo's streets Tuesday to demand the removal of President Hosni Mubarak. [/quote] [img]http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/5779/x800r.jpg[/img] [img]http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/5143/x800z.jpg[/img] [img]http://img842.imageshack.us/img842/3426/800xh.jpg[/img] [quote]A helicopter flies overhead as an Egyptian demonstrator holds-up the national flag during a protest in Tahrir Square in Cairo on January 31, 2011, on the seventh day of angry revolt against President Hosni Mubarak. [/quote] [img]http://img843.imageshack.us/img843/2311/800xw.jpg[/img] [img]http://img535.imageshack.us/img535/840/800xd.jpg[/img] [quote]Egyptian army soldiers take position in front of the Giza pyramids in Cairo on January 31, 2011 as Egyptian protesters called for an indefinite strike in Egypt upping the stakes in their bid to topple President Hosni Mubarak's regime. [/quote] [img]http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/2971/800xp.jpg[/img] [quote]A view of protestors gathered in Tahrir, or Liberation Square, in Cairo, Egypt, Monday, Jan. 31, 2011. A coalition of opposition groups called for a million people to take to Cairo's streets Tuesday to demand the removal of President Hosni Mubarak. [/quote] [img]http://img819.imageshack.us/img819/2226/800xe.jpg[/img] [quote]Egyptian women demonstrate in Cairo for the people who died in the last days during violent demonstrations on January 31, 2011 as anti-government protesters called for an indefinite strike in Egypt upping the stakes in their bid to topple President Hosni Mubarak's regime. [/quote] [img]http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/1490/800xi.jpg[/img] [img]http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/1566/800xz.jpg[/img] [quote]An Egyptian army captain identified as Ihab Fathi rests after fainting from exhaustion while being carried by demonstrators in Cairo's central Tahrir Square on January 31, 2011, on the seventh day of mass protests calling for the removal of Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak [/quote] [img]http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/1566/800xz.jpg[/img] [img]http://img710.imageshack.us/img710/2590/800xid.jpg[/img] [quote]A cleric, left, and an unidentified demonstrator lead a protest in Cairo, Egypt, Monday Jan. 31, 2011. [/quote] [img]http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/1610/800xg.jpg[/img] [img]http://img841.imageshack.us/img841/840/800xd.jpg[/img] [quote]Anti-government protesters offer their evening prayers, in front of an Egyptian army tank securing the area, during a protest in Cairo's Tahrir Square, Egypt, Monday, Jan. 31, 2011. A coalition of opposition groups called for a million people to take to Cairo's streets Tuesday to demand the removal of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. [/quote] [img]http://img708.imageshack.us/img708/1566/800xz.jpg[/img] [quote]An Egyptian army soldier joins a crowd of Muslim demonstrators during a prayer at the Tahrir square in central Cairo January 30, 201 on the sixth day of mass protests across the country calling for the resignation of long term President, Hosni Mubarak [/quote]

OP: I really hope you are okay, I hope you and your people can solve this problem. God speed to you guys and best of luck for your efforts. You guys have fucking awesome accents! Being in Africa really opens my eyes up, this shit isn't far away from my country.

[QUOTE=Stupideye;27783032][media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5GSfSRY2PQ[/media] Amazing video that shows that the Egyptian people really care about their country.[/QUOTE] I've been following this just recently and I'm going to admit that this actually brought a proud tear to my eye. That, is a true people.

Back from school again. So has anything really important happened today besides the spark of national pride in that video of them cleaning up the streets?

Shit, when mubarak has gone and Egypt is all good again, damnit im visiting, you people are amazing.

the fact that Egyptians organize neighbourhood watches against thugs and looters, help each other when hurt, feed each other and clean up their city regardless of what social rank you are, poor or rich is something every country even America and England can learn from. I hope all of you Egyptians in this thread are proud. It is literally bringing tears to my eyes seeing all the great things you all are doing. The only hostility it seems is against the criminals and police and honestly, they deserve that hostility. And to think this is coming from a country so close to the Middle East is astounding since what I've been brought up to learn is that the countries over in that area in the world are all uncivilized but DAMNIT! thats not true! If anything, America is uncivilized! I don't even remember seeing something of this magnitude of volunteer work and support even when Katrina hit! I hope you Egyptians are proud. You all deserve to feel it even if you aren't IN the protests. You are an amazing people! [editline]1st February 2011[/editline] [QUOTE=kenji;27794955]Shit, when mubarak has gone and Egypt is all good again, damnit im visiting, you people are amazing.[/QUOTE] same here. Right before I go off to college, I hope its in a stable enough condition to visit as a last trip before I start real life :/ This has also inspired me to learn Arabic!

BBC are reporting that Mubarak is going to give a speech "today". What time is it in Egypt? They are reporting that Al Arabiya is saying that he is going to say that he will not stand for re-election but will remain in power till the next election.

Holy shit. 1 million people calling for his resignation, and the bigheaded idiot can't realize that everybody fucking hates him. [QUOTE=Jsm;27795260]BBC are reporting that Mubarak is going to give a speech "today". What time is it in Egypt? They are reporting that Al Arabiya is saying that he is going to say that he will not stand for re-election but will remain in power till the next election.[/QUOTE] 8:48 PM, according to Google. It better be to announce that he'll step down.

If he's allowed to stay in until November, won't the leaders of the protests fucking bleed? I hope they don't accept this, they're so close to throwing him out on his ass

[QUOTE=scottsmith46;27795348]Holy shit. 1 million people calling for his resignation, and the bigheaded idiot can't realize that everybody fucking hates him. 8:48 PM, according to Google. It better be to announce that he'll step down.[/QUOTE] I was thinking the same thing but I thought about it more and maybe he is just uncertain of his future. Maybe he is stuck in a stage where he is helpless, he can't leave or else face prosecution by his own people like the guy in Tunsia. But what he doesn't realize is the longer this goes on, the worse its going to be for him. If you have read (or seen) the Crucible, its sort of like that. How a lie gets bigger and bigger and makes it worse and harder to come clean? Its sort of like this where the longer he pisses off the country by calling himself "president" (which is a lie any ways isn't it? ha) the worse it will be for him once he does what the crowd wants and resigns. (possibly more at this point) maybe a crappy analogy but its what makes sense for me the most.

I think they have said they won't accept anything less than him leaving the country now.

[QUOTE=Jsm;27795552]I think they have said they won't accept anything less than him leaving the country now.[/QUOTE] I just saw some signs being carried by a huge group of people wanting him arrested now. He is getting off lucky just leaving the country. I think they are going to move to wanting drastic punishments for him but might make him more desperate which isn't good. sorry for posting so much... I'll try and tone it down.

This stunning photo set from an AP photographer document the protest from start to finish. :smug: :smug: :smug: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :smug: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :colbert: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :colbert: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :colbert: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh:

An interesting piece from the Guardian regarding the "Muslim Brotherhood", the spectre of radical Islamism the western media has been fixated on. [quote] Egypt's Islamist opposition has vowed to "respect the will of the Egyptian people" if Hosni Mubarak's regime falls, amid concern from western leaders that religious extremism might proliferate following the anti-government uprising. Tony Blair, the Middle East peace envoy, warned that Egypt might take a backward step "into a very reactionary form of religious autocracy". But his words carried limited resonance in Egypt, where the Muslim Brotherhood – the country's largest opposition force – has played little more than a walk-on role in the unprecedented protests that have shaken one of the Middle East's oldest and most entrenched dictatorships. [b]"There is widespread exaggeration about the role of the Brotherhood in Egyptian society, and I think these demonstrations have exposed that," said Khalil al-Anani, an expert on Egypt's political Islamists at Durham University. "At first the movement showed little interest in the protests and announced they weren't going to participate; later they were overtaken by events and forced to get involved or risk losing all credibility." Egypt's ongoing intifada or uprising has been largely leaderless, planned initially by secular online activist groups and quickly gathering a momentum of its own, as protesters managed to beat riot police off the streets and inspire belief that Mubarak's security forces could be overcome. Even on Friday, when the Brotherhood finally threw its weight behind efforts to bring down the government – a stance its leadership initially held back from – Islamist slogans were noticeable by their absence, and the formal contribution of the movement remained limited. "Like many others, I participated in these protests not as a Brotherhood member but as an Egyptian, even though both labels apply to me," said Mohamed al-Assas, a 35-year-old media production worker in Cairo. "Many of the older political leaders, not just of the Brotherhood, but of other formal parties as well, were not so enthusiastic about the demonstrations. But that doesn't matter because this is a youth revolution – we don't need leaders to tell us what to do."[/b] The group was formed in 1928 and is still officially outlawed. Hundreds of Brotherhood members have been jailed in periodic crackdowns, yet it is from the existence of the Brotherhood, and the regime's perceived ability to suppress its influence, that Mubarak has derived much of his legitimacy in international circles. [b]This, combined with the fact that the Brotherhood's current leadership has often devoted more of its energies to "dawa", or social evangelism, than overtly political projects, has led many analysts to accuse it of a symbiotic relationship with the government it claims to resist. At crucial moments of popular public tension with the Mubarak regime in recent years, such as the killing of three people in the Delta town of El Mahalla El Kubra in April 2008, and during an attempted general strike one year later, the Brotherhood has opted to take a relatively non-combative stand towards the authorities. "The Mubarak regime was adept at inflating the influence of the Brotherhood and painting them as a threat to Egyptian society and to the west," said Anani. "It was the pretext for Mubarak's rule, and it was a lie. I think that if Egypt held free and fair elections tomorrow the Brotherhood would not get a majority; it would enjoy a significant presence in parliament, but the overall makeup of seats would be pluralistic."[/b] Mindful of the limitations of their popular support, and the danger of their involvement in protests being used as an excuse for the west to maintain support for Mubarak, the leadership of the Brotherhood therefore stood back as the past week's revolt unfolded. Only in the past two days have senior figures begun publicly taking part in the jockeying for position in a post-Mubarak Egypt, and they have done so as unobtrusively as possible, mandating the non-Islamist Nobel peace laureate Mohamed ElBaradei to help lead any transitional government and promising a "populist stance" in the future. "The Brotherhood realises the sensitivities, especially in the west, towards the Islamists, and we're not keen to be at the forefront," announced Mohamed el-Beltagui, a senior Brotherhood leader, on Monday. "We're trying to build a democratic arena before we start playing in it," said Essam El Arian, a reformist leader, and one of dozens of Brotherhood members who have escaped from jail in recent days following the disappearance of the country's police force. "The Brotherhood does not take decisions on its own," he insisted. The Brotherhood's leadership continues to claim it does not aim to take control. "We are not for governing, we have no ambitions in this area," media coordinator Waleed Shalabi told the Guardian today. "What the Brotherhood really want to get out of this revolution is official recognition, the end of legal prohibition," said Anani. "That's its minimum demand, but beyond that, if a post-Mubarak Egypt offers genuine avenues of political participation and a fair electoral system, then the movement will be happy." [b]But amid all the discussion about the impact the Muslim Brotherhood is having on Egypt's uprising, another story of these remarkable few days might be about the impact the uprising is having on the Brotherhood. Anani believes the protests have shifted the balance of power within the organisation, boosting the influence of younger reformists and weakening the more conservative old guard.[/b] "Egypt is witnessing the creation of a new regime, and is reconfiguring all its internal political structures - obviously the Muslim Brotherhood will not be immune to that process," Anani said. "The revolution has brought us into much closer contact with other secular protest groups with whom we're working now on a regular basis. The elder leadership respects those new links, because they have to," confirmed Assas, the 35 year old Brotherhood member. Indeed many believe the triumphant surge of youth activism seen in Egypt this past week could have as significant effect on the Brotherhood as on Mubarak's beleaguered National Democratic Party. "Ongoing internal debate within the MB leadership oddly mirrors claims of an old-guard/new-guard clash within the ruling NDP," observed the US ambassador to Cairo, Margaret Scobey, in a secret cable in 2009. "The concern expressed by the current leadership of both the NDP and the MB about the impact of rapid or aggressive reform is a common thread. "All of Egypt is changing, and of course the Brotherhood is part of that," said Assas. "The youth is leading the way, and leaders are heeding our call."[/quote] Human Rights Watch is claiming a total death toll of 300 from the past few days of demonstrations.

Obama has reportedly told Mubarak to NOT run for re-election.

This thread is too popular

[QUOTE=Lufttygger306;27796200]This thread is too popular[/QUOTE] This guy just be Mubaraks Alt account

[QUOTE=Elizer;27796134]Obama has reportedly told Mubarak to NOT run for re-election.[/QUOTE] From New York Times: [url]http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/02/world/middleeast/02transition.html?_r=2&src=twrhp[/url] This would be a change in tune, US is losing faith in the longevity in Mubarak's order. But the people want him out now, not later.

[img]http://img834.imageshack.us/img834/5373/800xc.jpg[/img] Reminds me of that mission in GTA4

[QUOTE=Mr. Sun;27796319]This guy just be Mubaraks Alt account[/QUOTE] am ghey

back on track. sorry. Any news on when mubarak is supposed to speak "today"?

Once this is over I can't wait for a full summary of events from the BBC or something, I've missed out on so much news.