Egyptology

As the crisis in Egypt continued to deepen, news came through in the early evening that the army had made a statement in support of the protesters.

Egyptian woman makes her feelings felt

According to Reuters,  [The army's statement] said "freedom of expression" was guaranteed to all protesters using peaceful means.

While this is undoubtedly good news, there are some ominous undertones. The mood music for an army coup is more than a muted chorus in the following assertions:

"Your armed forces, who are aware of the legitimacy of your demands and are keen to assume their responsibility in protecting the nation and the citizens, affirms that freedom of expression through peaceful means is guaranteed to everybody."

The army also warned protesters against acts of sabotage or criminal damage. "The presence of the army in the streets is for your sake and to ensure your safety and wellbeing. The armed forces will not resort to use of force against our great people," the army statement said.


In that regard, the army seems engaged in an exercise of playing both ends off against the middle. They are flattering the protesters while at the same time asserting their right to uphold public order thereby giving Mubarak a much-needed breathing space.

Meanwhile, Mubarak continues to rearrange the deckchairs of his fast-sinking ship of state. The latest, according to the BBC was the beleaguered president’s announcement of a new cabinet that looked suspiciously like the old one.

The depressing likelihood is that once Mubarak is finally ousted, the army will once again ‘come to the rescue’. And in order to prevent the seizing of power by an Islamist vanguard not to the liking of the west, the army will doubtless be encouraged to take over. The old realpolitik adage; ‘He’s a sonofabitch, but he’s our sonofabitch’ may once again hold true.