CAIRO: Egyptian authorities said yesterday that anyone who protests against the army today when the country celebrates the anniversary of an attack on Israeli forces during the 1973 war will be regarded as agents of foreign powers.
Presidential spokesman Ahmed Al Muslimani was speaking to the state news agency in anticipation of demonstrations by the Muslim Brotherhood, which has been staging protests against the army’s ouster of Islamist president Mohammed Mursi in July.
Egyptian authorities tightened security around the country after clashes on Friday killed at least four people. Mursi’s supporters mounted their boldest demonstrations since troops crushed protest camps demanding his reinstatement on August 14. The four who died in Cairo were all Brotherhood supporters.
Both opponents and supporters of the Brotherhood have called for more mass protests today, during celebrations of the anniversary of an Egyptian attack on Israeli forces in the Sinai during the 1973 war. Egyptian forces broke down Israeli fortifications in that attack and pushed across the Suez canal, though Israel later repulsed the advance.
“Protesters against the army on the anniversary of victory (October 6, 1973 war) will be carrying out the duties of agents, not activists,” the presidential spokesman said. “It is not befitting to go from a struggle against authorities to a conflict with the nation.”
State media said authorities had uncovered a plot by “terrorists” to target police installations during the celebrations today.
The Interior Ministry said security had been stepped up on highways, in all cities and at important installations.
Political tensions have gripped Egypt and hammered the economy since the army ousted Mursi, installed an interim government and drew up a political road map it promised would bring fair elections. In a televised speech to the nation, Interim President Adly Mansour promised that a constitution would be written to accommodate “all Egyptians”. He said free and fair parliamentary and presidential elections would be held shortly after the constitution is finished.
Yesterday, about 1,000 Mursi supporters tried to reach the Rabaa Al Adawiya mosque area in northeast Cairo, where security forces crushed one of their protest camps in August. All but about 50 were turned back by police, who fired tear gas, security sources said.
Interior Minister Mohamed Ibrahim said in a meeting with aides that security forces would not tolerate attempts to block roads or “spread chaos”.
“The ministry will deal with the utmost firmness and decisiveness with any of those practices, and confront any lawlessness,” it quoted him as saying.
The military boosted its presence around Tahrir Square after clashes on Friday in several cities.
Prime Minister Hazem El Beblawi said in a statement to the nation that “evil elements” still posed a danger but had lost much of their power. Beblawi said the road map was “taking its natural course” and that he hoped it would conclude soon. He said the economy was starting to improve and “there were clear signs and reassuring indicators”.
Authorities have cracked down hard on the Brotherhood, which won every election after Mubarak’s fall but became unpopular during Mursi’s rule, with many Egyptians accusing him of trying to acquire sweeping powers and mismanaging the economy, allegations he has denied.
Meanwhile, security forces arrested two members of Al Qaeda carrying hand grenades in the coastal city of Marsa Matruh, security sources said. One of the men threw a grenade just before he was apprehended, wounding six policemen, they said. Reuters
