Egypt’s presidency has announced that it has ended its attempts to bring the Muslim Brotherhood into direct negotiations, and says it holds the group responsible for what happens next as it attempts to clear two Cairo sit-ins of protesters demonstrating against the removal of former president Mohamed Morsi from power. The announcement is the latest in a series of warnings from Egypt’s security apparatus, which has put Brotherhood backers on notice that their two encampments will soon be cleared. The decree is the most pointed threat made during a 10-day period in which local and international mediators have tried to pull both sides back from the brink of another bloody clash on the streets of the capital. “The state has allowed for these efforts in line with its belief that it was necessary to allow for necessary efforts to urge the Muslim Brotherhood and its supporters to end violence and stem bloodshed and to cease causing turbulence in Egyptian society and holding hostage its future,” the statement said. “The Presidency understands the inability of these envoys to reach a resolution and therefore it holds the Muslim Brotherhood … responsible for the events and developments that follow from such failure, which could jeopardise public peace and the law.” Brotherhood officials dismissed the statement and called a meeting to decide how to respond. Two earlier attempts had failed to clear the Raba’a al-Adawiya mosque and Cairo University sites that have become focal points for supporters of former president Mohammed Morsi, who was ousted by the military on 3 July. Ever since, pro-Morsi crowds have flocked to the two sites where they have twice clashed with security forces, resulting in an estimated 300 deaths. The vast majority of casualties have been among the demonstrators. Egypt’s new leaders have maintained an implacably hard line against senior members of the Brotherhood, whom they have branded “terrorists” who pose a grave threat to national security. In the wake of the coup, some leaders, including Morsi, were charged with serious criminal offences. Others had their assets frozen. Media outlets that projected the Brotherhood world view have mostly been closed down. Public statements and off the record briefings from officials suggest that attempts to clear the two sites are imminent. Security planning remains clouded by the start of the three day Islamic festival of Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of Ramadan, which starts tomorrow. One official said today’s statement was going to be released last night, but was delayed because it was considered too close to recent diplomatic visits, including a two day trip to Egypt by US Republican senators John McCain and Lindsey Graham. Both men met with senior Egyptian officials, including interim president Adly Mansour and military chief General Abdul Fattah al-Sisi. Before he departed Egypt, McCain angered his hosts and contradicted the White House by describing the events of 3 July as a coup — a description that may have legal ramifications for US military aid. Officials contacted by the Guardian have suggested that moves to end the sit-in could start as soon as Sunday. With the rallies and direct contacts between both sides yielding nothing, some sort of showdown seems close to certain, whenever security forces move in. Morsi’s backers have demanded nothing less than the reinstatement of their leader. The interim military-led government that has since risen in Morsi’s place has been tasked with preparing the country for a transition back to democratic rule within nine months, after which presidential and parliamentary elections, as well as a constitutional referendum, are due to be held.
Aug82013