AS POLITICAL parties yesterday pressed for a two-week postponement of the first phase of Egypt’s parliamentary election, clashes resumed near the ministry of the interior.
The resumption of hostilities by the security forces ended a brief truce negotiated by clerics from al-Azhar, the leading Sunni institution of higher learning in the Muslim world.
Al-Azhar’s rector Sheikh Ahmad Tayeb called on the ministry to halt violence, urged the army to protect protesters and asked revolutionaries to return to the peaceful tactics of the uprising of January and February.
Tear gas fired by interior ministry forces at youths seeking retribution for decades of abuse drifted into Tahrir Square, where thousands had assembled to demand the resignation of field marshal Muhammad Hussein Tantawi, head of the ruling military council.
Protesters demanded that the military hand over power to a civilian authority but have instead been promised a government of national salvation to replace the military-dominated interim cabinet that resigned on Monday.
Although the army has moved tanks on to Muhammad Mahmoud street, the site of the clashes, interior ministry officers continue to fire rubber pellets, birdshot and canisters of tear gas doctors treating victims say is particularly potent. At least one person was reported to have died yesterday from inhaling CS gas. The armed forces command has denied using gas and arms to subdue protesters but is blamed by them for the violence.
Parties propose putting off the first stage of the poll, scheduled for next Monday, in nine of the country’s 27 provinces, including Cairo and Alexandria, where the revolution has been rekindled. Those supporting the proposal argue that security forces are too stretched by protests and clashes to ensure the safety of voters and the integrity of the election. There is concern that figures from the ousted Mubarak regime could initiate or fall victim to attacks.
If the military agrees to this proposal, the second phase of the poll would proceed as planned in December, while the other two would take place in January.
Five Egyptian and Arab human rights organisations have said they will identify and prosecute officials ordering and carrying out the crackdown on demonstrators which has been characterised as criminal. The death toll during five days of violence has reportedly reached 38, prompting UN human rights commissioner Navi Pillay to deplore the role of Egypt’s security forces in the ongoing violence.
“Some of the images coming out of Tahrir, including the brutal beating of already subdued protesters, are deeply shocking, as are reports of unarmed protesters shot in the head,” she stated,
“There should be a prompt, impartial and independent investigation, and accountability for those found responsible for the abuses.” She said the army and police have inflamed the situation.