CAIRO – Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak appears prepared to
confront opponents who have demanded his resignation.
Egyptian officials said the Mubarak regime would not allow opposition
protests without a license. They said the regime
was concerned that the protests would mushroom and turn violent, Middle East Newsline reported.
"It is permitted to express views," Cairo Security Director Maj.
Gen.Nabil Ezabi said. "But if we are getting to the stage of [people]
getting used to violations, then the principle must be that legal
regulations must be implemented."
Opposition groups said Egyptian authorities have cited emergency
regulations to ban anti-Mubarak protests. They said the emergency law –
introduced in 1958 – must be abolished to ensure a fair election campaign.
So far, Mubarak has rejected the demand.
"In Egypt, only the Islamists demand the abolishment of this law,"
Mubarak said in an interview with the French newspaper Le Figaro. "But I
will never let chaos prevail."
Officials said opposition groups have been holding unlicensed protests
in Alexandria, Cairo and Mansoura. They said licenses would be issued by
authorities to groups that could ensure non-violent demonstrations.
The Western-supported Kifaya movement has been organizing rallies
against the regime to force election reform. Kifaya leader Ayman Nour has
been charged with forgery in what the opposition asserts is an attempt by
the regime to silence him.
Officials said Kifaya has formed an alliance with the banned Muslim
Brotherhood to oppose the regime. Kifaya has called on Mubarak to step down
and withdraw his candidacy for presidential elections in late 2005.
"I believe we've entered a very dangerous phase," Egyptian analyst
Mohammed Heikal said.
Kifaya has held several demonstrations over the last two weeks, some of
which have turned violent. On March 29, police quashed a demonstration by
Kifaya and the Brotherhood outside parliament. The following day, the
Interior Ministry deployed thousands of anti-riot forces to stop
anti-Mubarak demonstration outside parliament.
"I am the director of security, I order you to disperse in five minutes
or else I'll take measures against you," Ezaby told about 100 demonstrators,
who then marched two kilometers away.
Kifaya said it would not be deterred by threats from the regime, which
has pledged to hold multi-party elections in the fall. Party leaders said
they would organize protests regardless of whether they were authorized.
"The government is stronger than us," George Ishak, a Kifaya leader
said. "If they prevent us what can we do? If they arrest us, what's the
problem? Each one has to bear the responsibility of his actions."
