Rabu 30 Jan 2013 22:19 WIB

Egypt army chief warns state could collapse

Riot police take up positions during clashes with protesters opposing Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi along Simon Bolivar Square, which leads to Tahrir Square, in Cairo January 30, 2013.
Foto: Reuters/Amr Abdallah Dalsh
Riot police take up positions during clashes with protesters opposing Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi along Simon Bolivar Square, which leads to Tahrir Square, in Cairo January 30, 2013.

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, PORT SAID - Residents of this Mediterranean coastal city burying their dead from Egypt's wave of political violence vented their fury at Egypt's president and the Muslim Brotherhood on Tuesday, demanding his ouster and virtually declaring a revolt against his rule, as the head of the military warned Egypt may collapse under the weight of its turmoil.

Gen. Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi' strongly worded comments, his first since the crisis began, appeared aimed at pushing both sides in Egypt's political divide to reconcile and find a solution to the rapidly spreading protests and riots across much of the country the past six days.

But his breaking of his silence falls heaviest on President Mohammed Mursi, who has been unable to contain the unrest by trying a tough hand, as protesters defied his declaration of a month-long state of emergency and curfew in Port Said and two neighboring cities.

At least 60 people have been killed and hundreds injured since Thursday in clashes between police and protesters angry over what they call Islamists' moves to monopolize power and failure to address the country's multiple woes. In his comments, el-Sissi signaled the military would not move to put down protesters, saying troops are in a "grave predicament," forced to balance between "avoiding confrontation" with citizens and protecting state institutions.

 

Merkel urges dialog
German Chancellor Angela Merkel urged President Mursi on Wednesday to open a dialogue with all political forces in the crisis-ridden Arab country after a week of violence that has killed more than 50 people. President Mursi flew to Germany to try to convince Europe of his democratic credentials, but in a sign of the political tensions back home, he restricted his trip to a few hours and canceled a planned Paris leg.
"One thing that is important for us is that the line for dialogue is always open to all political forces in Egypt, that the different political forces can make their contribution, that human rights are adhered to in Egypt and that of course religious freedom can be experienced," Merkel told Mursi at a joint news conference.

sumber : AP/Reuters
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