Egyptian protests target Obama as top supporter of Morsi regime --------------------------------------------------------------------------- CAIRO — Egypt’s mass protest campaign against President Mohammed Morsi has turned against the United States, deemed the leading supporter of the Muslim Brotherhood regime. The protests throughout Egypt have been highlighted by anti-U.S. placards and slogans that portray President Barack Obama as the mainstay of Morsi. Many of the protesters demanded the expulsion of U.S. ambassador to Cairo, Anne Patterson. “Obama Supports Terrorism,” a placard at the center of Cairo’s demonstration read. Opposition leaders pointed to the refusal by the United States to condemn the human and civil rights abuses of the Morsi regime. Some claimed that Obama has signaled to Morsi in both statements and private messages that Washington would not demand democratic reforms. So far, more than a million Egyptians have taken to the streets to demand Morsi’s resignation. At least 16 people have been killed in clashes between the protesters and Brotherhood fighters. On July 1, the Brotherhood headquarters in Cairo were ransacked. On July 1, Brotherhood gunmen opened fire on Egyptian security forces outside Cairo. The forces arrested 15 bodyguards of the Brotherhood’s deputy chief Khairat Shater. Tattered posters of the U.S. ambassador littered Tahrir Square, the main demonstration site against Morsi. Ms. Patterson has also been accused by the Brotherhood of interfering in Egypt’s domestic affairs. The opposition has given Morsi a July 2 deadline to step down. At the same time, the Egyptian Army has threatened that it could intervene to stop the violence. “The Armed Forces repeat its call for the people’s demands to be met and give everyone 48 hours as a last chance to shoulder the burden of a historic moment for a nation that will not forgive or tolerate any party that is lax in shouldering its responsibility,” the military said. The Obama administration, which has been in daily contact with Morsi and the military, has been on alert for an attack on the U.S. embassy in Cairo. Secretary of State John Kerry said embassy staffers have been offered to leave on vacation. “It’s up to them whether or not they want to draw down,” Kerry said. “In addition to that, we have a huge number of people who are actually on leave and away because of vacation and home leave time. So, we believe our embassy is appropriately staffed, and we believe it is appropriately protected. And we’ve been in touch, obviously, with ambassador Patterson and staying in close touch with people on the ground.” worldtribune/2013/07/02/egyptian-protests-target-obama-as-top-supporter-of-morsi-regime/
Posted on: Mon, 05 Aug 2013 11:39:02 +0000