Egypt at the Crossroads.

Tahrir Square, Cairo

US Person suggested in previous posts concerning the "Arab Spring" that the acid test of the Egyptian revolution would be whether the military, which so dominates Egyptian society that it is a government and economy onto itself, would actually give up power once the dictator Murbarak, himself a product of the military, was removed from power. The Tahrir Square rebellion embraced the military as allies, knowing instinctively perhaps that the military's tacit support would help the rebellion end Mubarak's thirty year dictatorship. Now, that tacit alliance appears to be broken because civilian demonstrators have returned to the Square [photo: AFP]to protest the junta's foot dragging over a constitution and a presidential election. A parliamentary election is scheduled to take place in a week, but some commentators have suggested that even that election could be delayed in the face of renewed unrest.

After three days of protest and bowing to protesters demands the interim civilian counsel, appointed by the ruling military junta, submitted their resignations en masse. The protests have not been peaceful. The Health Ministry said twenty-three people have died in the demonstrations--some said to have been killed by live ammunition--and 1500 have been seriously injured. Protesters are being gassed with American made tear gas according to The Guardian. The powerful Muslim Brotherhood said it would not take part in a rally scheduled for Tuesday to avoid delaying parliamentary elections while other groups have decided to join it. It may be the largest demonstration against military rule so far. A member of the ruling military junta visited the Square Monday for a news conference. When asked about alleged deaths due to live ammunition being used against demonstrators, he blamed "an invisible hand in the Square causing a rift between the army and the people." US Person thought only Newt Gingrich believed in the "invisible hand", but apparently Egyptian generals do too.