The division in the opposition has confirmed fears by pro-democracy
activists that the Brotherhood and Salafists have become aligned with the
military regime. Opposition sources said the
two Islamic movements intend to work together to win formal power in
parliamentary and presidential elections in late 2011.
On May 27, thousands of Egyptians, many of them shouting "Where is the
Brotherhood?" protested the military regime, accusing it of corruption and
loyalty to Mubarak, Middle East Newsline reported. The protesters called for
civilian participation in government, return of the police as well as a
speedy trial of Mubarak, charged with ordering live fire against the
pro-democracy demonstrations in January and February.
"We are seriously concerned about the absence of security forces,"
former International Atomic Energy Agency director-general Mohammed El
Baradei said.
The Salafists deemed the organizers of the latest pro-democracy protests
"infidels and atheists." Some of the Salafists, who have been targeting the
minority Copt community, warned that they would block renewed
demonstrations, called "Day of Rage."
"For the sake of our country, we want to be ruled by the Army,"
demonstrators said to have included Salafists chanted during a
counter-protest in Cairo on May 28.
For its part, the military regime called for an end to the pro-democracy
protests. The regime leadership, called the Supreme Council of the Armed
Forces, said it would not deploy the Army at the protests in Alexandria and
Cairo.
"There is the possibility that suspicious elements will try to conduct
acts designed to drive a wedge between the Egyptian people and its armed
forces," the council said on May 26.
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