![]() In a sign of continued confidence, he has already met other groups and drafted an accord to form a national coalition government. Morsy, a 60-year-old, U.S.-educated engineer and political prisoner under Mubarak, declared victory within hours of polls closing last Sunday - a move condemned by the generals. ![]() In counterpoint, a few thousand rallied on Saturday in a middle-class Cairo suburb to declare support for the army. But the military, Brotherhood and other officials gave signs of expecting it will happen.īrotherhood supporters camped out in Tahrir Square, where the revolution was won, were generally in festive mood, though fear of disappointment still nagged, after decades of rigged elections. Yet the presidency is still a prize, even if the vote will not end the power struggles over Egypt’s future.Īn Islamist president of Egypt would be a major milestone for the Middle East, near unthinkable 18 months ago. The ruling military council, which pushed Mubarak aside to appease the protesters in the streets, has just stripped the post of many powers and dissolved the Brotherhood-led parliament elected in January. His victory many Egyptians, and millions across the region, would fear as a mortal blow to last year’s Arab Spring revolution, despite his assurances of also wanting an inclusive government.Īfter an anxious week of street protests at Cairo’s Tahrir Square and angry accusations between rivals of subverting the new democracy, the new president will emerge with fewer powers than the candidates, pruned by a first round of voting in May, had expected when the army promised civilian rule from July 1. The Brotherhood may react angrily if it is instead Ahmed Shafik, a former air force commander and Mubarak ally. Many think Islamist Mohamed Morsy will become head of state of the biggest Arab nation, reshaping the region after decades of Western-backed military rule, even if the armed forces are not giving up their control just yet. (1300 GMT), will be historic for Egypt and the Middle East. ![]() The result of last weekend’s run-off, due in an election committee news conference at 3 p.m. ![]()
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