Follow up on Egypt

Okie-dokie, remember my post on Egypt? Their democratically elected president, Morsi, the Muslim Brotherhood and their opposition, including the Tamarud, or, the "Rebels"? Well, you better remember, because I refuse to summarize that again. But I will give you an update.

On Sunday there were Nation wide rallies held with both anti-Morsi protesters, and Morsi supporters clashing in Cairo. The Egyptian military issued an ultimatum. Either, Morsi steps down from the presidency, or the army withdraws support for the Constitution that the Islamist support, the Islamist-dominated legislature, and replace Morsi with a temporary administration headed by the Country's chief justice. The army gave a deadline to Morsi. Either he meet the people's demands by Wednesday, or they intervene.

The military's announcement was met with great joy from anti-Morsi supporters, and great frustration from Morsi loyalists. Morsi gave a speech Tuesday urging the Army to call off the ultimatum, saying that the protests were questioning the legitimacy of his presidency and that if it continued there would be no legitimacy in democracy.

Since the protests started on Sunday, at least 39 people have been murdered and over 200 are injured according to hospital officials. At least 63 cases of sexual assault and abuse have been reported, and those are just the ones that have been reported!

The U.S. government has urged Morsi to address the peoples demands, and quick. They warn the Egyptian military that a coup would cause a halt in American aid to their government. The army has insisted that they do not seek to take over, just to fulfill their "historic responsibility".

Wednesday was the Military's deadline, and as of yesterday, Morsi has been removed, although he still insists that he is the true leader of the country. The head of the Supreme Constitutional Court, Adly Mansor is to be sworn in today as the temporary president, and new parliamentary elections will commence.

The opposition parties and the Tamarud have agreed that the Nobel Peace Prize winner, Mohamed ElBaradei will represent them in the upcoming negotiations for the country's political future.

The people aren't exactly in the clear yet. They still have to sift through the mess they've created for themselves. Who will run the country after Morsi? Will the military loosen their control once the people know what the want? Or will they continue to control the government, turning it into a real Coup? What does this new government mean for Coptic Christians and Muslims alike?

Pray for Egypt and those who have lost loved ones in the violence of the protests, and pray for the victims of abuse and assault. Count your blessings as we celebrate our country's freedom this 4th of July, and as we celebrate our own personal freedoms that so many people in the world do not have.

Most of my information is from the Associated Press and CNN.

"We will not waver; we will not tire; we will not falter, and we will not fail. Peace and freedom will prevail." George W. Bush

-Grace