Chaos mars Egypt’s pro-democracy drive

Most Maltese nationals who were holidaying in Egypt were back home, the Foreign Ministry said yesterday as chaos and violence continued to grip the country. “Tens of holiday makers who asked the Maltese Embassy for help to book flights back to Malta have returned home,” a spokesman said, adding there could be others who did not get in touch with the embassy.

Describing the situation on the ground as “fluid and unstable”, he said the government had no intention yet to recall diplomatic staff.

Tahrir Square (Liberation in Arabic) in Cairo, the centre of Tuesday’s peaceful million-person march, remained a war zone yesterday as supporters of beleaguered President Hosni Mubarak clashed with anti-government protesters.

The violence between both sets of supporters started on Wednesday when pro-Mubarak protesters, some riding horses and camels, were allowed by the military to enter the square and charge the crowd.

The clashes took the spotlight off the opposition’s demands for the removal of the regime as the country descended further into chaos.

Egyptian journalist Randa el Tahawy, 23, from Cairo said that after Tuesday’s peaceful demonstration many could not understand how the riots erupted.

Speaking over her mobile phone, she said it was clear someone must have been behind the violent outbreak because it was too organised. Ms Tahawy was in Tahrir Square on Tuesday and is expected to return there today.

“Anyone who enters Tahrir Square is checked upon by the military and civilians, so we can’t understand how the riots erupted and how these clashes were allowed to happen,” she said.

The pro-democracy protesters accuse the regime of organising the assault, using paid thugs and policemen in civilian clothes, in an attempt to crush their movement.

This position was reinforced yesterday afternoon when Egyptian Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq made an unprecedented apology for Wednesday’s assault. He admitted it was a “blatant mistake” and promised to investigate who was behind it.

The lack of proper information caused by government disruption of the internet and mobile phone networks has also left people confused on whom to believe.

After briefly allowing internet access, the government yesterday cracked down on social media networks and bloggers, such as Ms Tahawy’s friend, were briefly arrested. The reason for her friend’s arrest was a posting on Facebook that he was on his way to Tahrir Square with supplies for injured people.

“We have reached a point where we can’t even believe the media. Everyone everywhere is voicing his opinion but we can’t say how objective media giants like CNN are,” Ms Tahawy said.

The violence of the past two days may have scared many from returning to Tahrir Square, which has become the symbol of the struggle, but it has not dampened the hopes of some.

“I’ll be joining the protests in Tahrir Square because, although this chaos is not what we wanted, we have to voice our frustration. People are desperate for change and still think it is possible. Otherwise, we would not be protesting and risking our lives,” Ms Tahawy said.

In a televised address on Tuesday, Mr Mubarak said he would not be contesting the elections after his term was up in September but refused to resign immediately as demanded by pro-democracy protesters.

Asked to comment about the situation in Egypt, Foreign Minister Tonio Borg reiterated the position adopted by the EU on Monday in favour of “an orderly transition to true democracy and full respect of fundamental rights and freedoms, including that of peaceful assembly as well as the need for a broad-based government to implement such reforms and transition”.

Dr Borg said the clashes, bordering on civil strife, in Cairo did not augur well for a peaceful transition.

He cautioned against the EU adopting a paternalistic approach towards Egypt and said it should instead offer all assistance in favour of reform were this to be requested.

“The stakes in Egypt are very high for Europe and neighbouring countries.

What we do not want is any change that would lead to extremist or fundamentalist groups exploiting the situation and filling the political void which turmoil usually creates. If there is going to be change it must be one for democracy and tolerance,” Dr Borg said.