"We were surprised to find that the Interior Ministry is explaining its
position by saying that the law permits it to use force to break up illegal
protests, even by using live ammunition, according to an ancient law from
the days of British colonialism," Hamdi Hassan, a parliamentarian from the
opposition Muslim Brotherhood, said.
An Interior Ministry official briefed parliament on rules of engagement
against the growing pro-democracy protests in Egypt. The official,
identified as Hamid Rashid, said live fire would be used against protesters.
Rashid told parliament on April 18 that demonstrators were confronting the
security forces.
The Brotherhood, which makes up about 20 percent of parliament, has
demanded that the government stop using force against peaceful
demonstrations. Deputies pointed to an April 6 demonstration in front of
parliament, which was quelled by plainclothes officers who beat and removed
protesters.
"The language of threats is very real," Hassan said. "We take it
seriously."
"These threats are even more serious because we are entering a political
season before elections," Hassan said.
The live fire policy of the Interior Ministry has been supported by the
ruling National Democratic Party, headed by Mubarak. During a parliamentary
session, several NDP members encourged police to open fire toward
demonstrators.
"If the security is attacked by firearms, it should respond to defend
itself," parliamentarian Ahmed Abu Akrab, a former police officer, said.
