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A man displays a bloodied shirt of ousted President Mohamed Morsi's supporter outside a local hospital in Cairo AP Photo/Nasser Shiyoukhi/PA Images

Islamists calling for rebellion against army in Egypt after bloodshed

At least 40 dead in morning shootings on supporters of ousted Morsi.

NOTE: Graphic image of bodies further down this article

EGYPTIAN SOLDIERS AND police guarding a military building opened fire on supporters of the ousted president today in bloodshed that claimed at least 40 lives, officials and witnesses said. It has plunged the divided country deeper into crisis with calls by Islamists for all-out rebellion against the army.

The carnage outside the Republican Guard building in Cairo — where toppled President Mohammed Morsi was first held last week — marked the signal biggest death toll since massive protests forced Morsi’s government from power and brought in caretaker rule overseen by Egypt’s powerful armed forces.

Even before all the bodies were counted, there were conflicting accounts on how the violence began — with Morsi’s backers saying it was an unprovoked attack and the military saying they came under assault first.

But the violence is almost certain to draw sharper battle lines between Morsi’s Muslim Brotherhood and their opponents who claim Morsi squandered his election victory and betrayed by democratic spirit of the Arab Spring revolution by seeking only to boost his cadre of backers. The military, which effectively supported by the anti-Morsi movement, now may face pressures to impose stricter security measures to try to keep unrest from spilling out of control.

Just hours after the shootings, the political arm of the Muslim Brotherhood urged Egyptians to rise up against the military, which is claimed was pushing Egypt into becoming “a new Syria” — an ominous reference to a civil war that has killed more than 93,000 people since March 2011.

A military spokesman said gunmen attempted to storm the building at dawn, prompting the clashes. One witness, university student Mirna el-Helbawi, also said gunmen loyal to Morsi opened fire first, including from the roof of a nearby mosque. El-Helbawi, 21, lives in an apartment overlooking the scene.

AP Photo/ Ahmed Gomaa/PA Images

Supporters of Morsi, meanwhile, said the security forces fired on hundreds of protesters, including women and children, at a sit-in encampment outside the building as they performed early morning prayers. It was not immediately possible to reconcile the two versions.

Regardless of the reason, the escalating chaos will further complicate Egypt’s relations with Washington and other Western allies, which had supported Morsi as the country’s first elected leader and now are reassessing policies toward the military-backed group that forced him out.

At field hospitals, at least six dead bodies had been laid out on the ground, some with severe wounds, according to video from by pan-Arab broadcaster Al-Jazeera. The bodies had been draped with an Egyptian flag and pictures of Morsi. Pools of blood covered the floor and doctors struggled to deal with gaping wounds among some of the hundreds injured.

A medic from the area, Hesham Agami, said ambulances were unable to transport more than 200 wounded to hospitals because the military had blocked off the roads. Health Ministry spokesman Khaled el-Khatib said initial reports indicated at least 40 fatalities and 322 people wounded, although he gave no details on the circumstances of the bloodshed.

A Muslim Brotherhood spokesman, Mourad Ali, said army troops opened fire at dawn on the protesters outside the Republican Guard building, where Morsi was initially held but was later moved to an undisclosed Defence Ministry facility. The account was repeated by others.

“They opened fire with live ammunition and lobbed tear gas,” said Al-Shaimaa Younes, who was at the sit-in. “There was panic and people started running. I saw people fall.”

Egyptian state TV showed images provided by the military of the scene of the sit-in, where scores of protesters were pelting troops with rocks and setting tires on fire. Soldiers in riot gear and carrying shields formed lines a few meters (yards) away.

A fire raged from an apartment in a building overlooking the clashes. Images showed men throwing spears from atop nearby building rooftops. Other protesters were lobbing fire bombs at the troops. It was not clear when the footage was filmed. Security officers were showing cameras bullet casings, and troops were carrying injured colleagues.

Bodies lie in a room of a hospital after shooting at the Republican Guard building in Nasser City, Cairo, today. AP Photo/Wissam Nassar/PA Images

Military spokesman Col. Ahmed Mohammed Ali said initial information indicates that gunmen affiliated with the Brotherhood tried to storm the Republican Guard building shortly after dawn, firing live ammunition and throwing firebombs from a nearby mosque and rooftops. One police officer on the scene was killed, he said.

A statement by the armed forces carried by the state news agency said “an armed terrorist group” tried to storm the building, killing one officer and seriously wounding six. The statement said the forces arrested 200 attackers, armed with guns and ammunition.

Ali, the Brotherhood spokesman, dismissed such versions, saying the protesters didn’t start the confrontation. He said the military had warned protesters it will break up the sit-in.

Morsi supporters have been holding rallies and a sit-in outside the Republican Guard building since the military deposed Morsi on Wednesday. The military chief replaced Morsi with an interim president until presidential elections are held. The transition plan is backed by liberal and secular opponents of Morsi, and had been also supported by the ultraconservative Islamist Al-Nour party and both Muslim and Christian religious leaders.

Soon after report of the latest attack, however, Al-Nour party spokesman Nader Bakkar said on his Twitter account his party is withdrawing its support for the transition plan in response to the “massacre.”

Morsi’s supporters refuse to recognize the change in leadership and insist Morsi be reinstated, and have vowed to continue their sit-ins outside the Republican uard building as well as at a nearby mosque.

Morsi’s opponents are also holding rival rallies. They say the former president lost his legitimacy by mismanaging the country and not ruling democratically, leading to a mass revolt that began June 30, the first anniversary of Morsi’s assumption of power.

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61 Comments
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    Mute Enola Straight
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    Jul 8th 2013, 3:08 PM

    Islamist extremists provoking a civil war. Well I never……..

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    Mute Michael
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    Jul 8th 2013, 3:17 PM

    Excuse my nativity, but why was the president ousted? he was democratically elected due to the Arab spring right.

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    Mute M
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    Jul 8th 2013, 3:23 PM

    He was kicked out because the locals got a taste of reality, in relation to the economy didn’t like it and have to blame someone. Revolution is not always the answer.

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    Mute Alan Burke
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    Jul 8th 2013, 3:29 PM

    From what I understand he did not make any efforts to address the economic issues and attempted to turn Egypt into an Islamic state with a new constitution.

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    Mute Tony Kennedy
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    Jul 8th 2013, 3:46 PM

    He tried to destroy democratic rule in Egypt. He tried to bring in a constitutional clause that would stop his “decrees” being legally challenged, and basically made the judiciary impotent. He also began sacking high ranking soldiers and policemen who he thought would be disloyal.

    The people of Egypt want democracy, they do not want Islamic demagogues running their affairs. And the Muslim Brotherhood are demagogues, who care nothing about democracy, and only want power.

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    Mute Mark Downes
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    Jul 8th 2013, 4:15 PM

    He was democratically elected and then showed he had no intention of ruling democratically. These characters always have a theocracy headed by themselves as the end goal.

    50
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    Mute M
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    Jul 8th 2013, 3:13 PM

    Syria mark 2 now watch fuel prices go through the roof, as traders use this as an excuse.

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    Mute Alan Burke
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    Jul 8th 2013, 3:12 PM

    So theirr answer to bloodshed is more bloodshed?

    29
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    Mute Damocles
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    Jul 8th 2013, 3:25 PM

    The way to stop violence is more violence. Always. Just look through human history and see the proof.

    39
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    Mute John Burke
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    Jul 8th 2013, 4:02 PM

    Their answer to most things is bloodshed and lots of it.

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    Mute Kevin Cooney
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    Jul 8th 2013, 10:33 PM

    They are in the happeny place compared to the blood thirsty US!

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    Mute Albert McEinstein
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    Jul 8th 2013, 4:33 PM

    Er, what happens if Morsi and the gang get top of the polls in the next set of free and fair elections?

    Or will he have an unfortunate gardening accident in the meantime…

    28
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    Mute sean
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    Jul 8th 2013, 3:43 PM

    Morsi only looked after the rich , and broke promise after promise , (Sounds familiar)
    at least the egyptians have the balls to stnad up for change ,
    look at this cespit …………..bah bah

    20
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    Mute Killjoy
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    Jul 8th 2013, 7:31 PM

    I think if you compare the quality of life in both nations you’ll understand the reason Egyptians are rebelling.

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    Mute Adam Assahli
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    Jul 8th 2013, 3:47 PM

    Can’t expect people to stand by and be shot by the army for protesting as their right. If the Islamists overthrow this new “government” by use of force it will be deemed a coup, just because they are Islamists. How democratic.

    19
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    Mute Jason Culligan
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    Jul 8th 2013, 4:01 PM

    Because making a brand new constitution which removes most of the power of the judiciary and makes it illegal for challenges to be brought against legislation made by the government is a beacon of democracy? Egyptians fought hard for their right to vote and Morsi didn’t even wait a week before making the first moves towards installing his own Islamic dictatorship.

    46
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    Mute Tony Kennedy
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    Jul 8th 2013, 4:05 PM

    But Islamists are not democratic. One of their core beliefs is the “sovereignty of God” as opposed to sovereignty of the people. The people of Egypt fought for democracy, not more dictatorship. Like any new democracy, demagogues like the MB can be elected, but they were very quick to try and “de-democratise” Egypt.

    There seems to be some sort of problem in condemning Islamists. All right minded people should condemn Islamic governance because Islamic governance is the antithesis of freedom and democracy.

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    Mute Petr Tarasov
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    Jul 8th 2013, 6:49 PM

    Jason — That constitution was endorsed in a nationwide referendum… you did know that, right?

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    Mute BPA Free Paper Rolls
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    Jul 8th 2013, 8:29 PM

    Idiot !

    1
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    Mute Joe Sixtwo
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    Jul 8th 2013, 6:32 PM

    Morsi wanted to set up an Islamic Republic with sharia barbarism. Islam is not compatible with democracy, the Islamists themselves will agree with this statement. The Arab spring may have just begun and hopefully a secular Egypt will come from this and not the nightmare that the Muslim brotherhood and the Morsi thugs tried to impose on the people.

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    Mute simonjblake
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    Jul 8th 2013, 5:56 PM

    Anyone prepared to kill others or die fighting in the name of any religion I say good riddance.

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    Mute Kevin Cooney
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    Jul 8th 2013, 4:06 PM

    The Headline is following a script laid down by the US state department. Proper Headline should read “Democracy protesters slaughtered by US backed military dictatorship.”

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    Mute Declan Noonan
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    Jul 8th 2013, 4:21 PM

    Kevin, you are getting it wrong again.

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    Mute Kevin Cooney
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    Jul 8th 2013, 4:24 PM

    Declan – If you say so.

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    Mute Alan Burke
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    Jul 8th 2013, 4:34 PM

    Kevin – the Muslim Brotherhood are not democratic.

    32
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    Mute Johnnathan Biskalero
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    Jul 8th 2013, 5:16 PM

    People have a good look at south america……many democratically elected leaders removed by the so-called bastion of democracy the US..some even murdered with CIA help…….this notion of democracy is an illusion to most…

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    Mute Declan Noonan
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    Jul 8th 2013, 5:20 PM

    Johnnathan, you are talking about stuff that happened decades ago. This is now!

    9
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    Mute Johnnathan Biskalero
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    Jul 8th 2013, 5:24 PM

    1953 Iran democratically elected Mossadeq was removed from powrer for nationalizing oil…..

    September 11 1973 Salvador Allende was removed and murdered……Pinochet takes power…..

    You could go on and on………..”Protecting peoples Freedoms” what a load of hogwash in fairness….lol

    8
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    Mute Johnnathan Biskalero
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    Jul 8th 2013, 5:28 PM

    Declan in all fairness are you serious ?? Iraq ?? pack of lies and a million people dead and country runined ?? That was the bastion of democracy at work……ahh but it is ok they are the USA……your right declan they would not infringe on civil liberties ( Prism ) or remove democratically elected presidents and leaders…….have people been on another planet or something ??

    12
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    Mute Kevin Cooney
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    Jul 8th 2013, 5:29 PM

    Alan – The Muslim Brotherhood got 51% of electorate to vote for them in the general election. The Muslim Brotherhood got 64% of the electorate to vote for the new constitution. Not democrats? They have more democratic legitimacy than the Irish Govt and constitution which only passed with 56% of the electorate. Don’t let the facts get in the way of the US propaganda.

    8
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    Mute Johnnathan Biskalero
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    Jul 8th 2013, 5:33 PM

    Lol…….you sound like the government “we are where we are”

    5
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    Mute Kevin Cooney
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    Jul 8th 2013, 5:38 PM

    Declan – Guatemala, Venezuela, Chile, Honduras, Panama, Grenada, Nicaragua etc etc etc

    9
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    Mute Declan Noonan
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    Jul 8th 2013, 5:47 PM

    Kevin and johnnathan, those countries in South America that you mention, how democratic are they now? Also Iran? I’m sure that you will want to say that they are more democratic?

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    Mute Alan Burke
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    Jul 8th 2013, 5:58 PM

    Kevin I don’t think you understand what the Muslim Brotherhood is. A little googling of their policies should open your eyes.

    They are fundamentally opposed to democracy and wish to turn Egypt into a Sharia Dictatorship.

    15
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    Mute Johnnathan Biskalero
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    Jul 8th 2013, 5:59 PM

    @Declan They seem to be getting back some of their democratic right be it a long process because of US interference for decades…….JOHN PILGER WAR ON DEMOCRACY just have a look……..people are just blind for gods sake !! What about the soviet styled EU we are in ?? Anti-democratic by a long way as WE the Irish people have found out twice while voting for so-called referendums…….dear god what will it take for people to actually open their eyes ?

    11
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    Mute Declan Noonan
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    Jul 8th 2013, 6:15 PM

    Kevin, yes Kevin they are but the US is not overthrowing their govts so maybe the US is for democracy in South America.
    Btw, can people like you stop bringing up Iran of the 1950′s and the CIA overthrow of that leader. It’s gets tiresome hearing about it over and over again.

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    Mute Kevin Cooney
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    Jul 8th 2013, 7:45 PM

    Alan – The Muslim Brotherhood is the democratically elected Govt. of Egypt. Why is that so difficult to comprehend?

    7
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    Mute Kevin Cooney
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    Jul 8th 2013, 8:02 PM

    Declan – “Maybe the USA is for democracy in South America” All the evidence suggests otherwise. Just look to Guatemala the USA overthrew it’s democratically elected Govt not once but twice. In the 1950′s and also in the 1990′s.

    7
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    Mute BPA Free Paper Rolls
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    Jul 8th 2013, 8:34 PM

    But the military dictators are !!!

    2
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    Mute BPA Free Paper Rolls
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    Jul 8th 2013, 8:35 PM

    Un educated fools who red thumb facts!

    3
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    Mute BPA Free Paper Rolls
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    Jul 8th 2013, 8:37 PM

    More in educated fools with red thumbs . Or they never leave the house and listen to sky bias news.

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    Mute BPA Free Paper Rolls
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    Jul 8th 2013, 8:42 PM

    Much more democratic now than when US puppet dictator the Shah was in power. Americas problem with Iran is they can’t control them. Watch this video by renowned journalist John Pilger http://vimeo.com/16366422

    3
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    Mute BPA Free Paper Rolls
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    Jul 8th 2013, 8:54 PM

    Of course Iran is More democratic. The American backed (puppet) dictator the shah was overthrown by the peoples backed revolution . Although their electorate process is not perfect (who’s is) they are more democratic than all the American backed dictatorships in the region. Watch this video by renowned journalist John Pilger http://vimeo.com/16366422

    5
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    Mute Enola Straight
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    Jul 8th 2013, 11:12 PM

    Kevin – the Muslim brotherhood Are a bunch of thugs trying to drag a country back to the dark ages. With clowns over here cheering them on. Sweet Jesus.

    4
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    Mute Enola Straight
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    Jul 8th 2013, 11:13 PM

    And BPA – that is pure and utter tripe regarding Iran. And you know it.

    2
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    Mute Kevin Cooney
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    Jul 8th 2013, 11:25 PM

    Enola – The Muslim Brotherhood won the general election 51%. The new constitution as proposed by the Muslim Brotherhood was approved by 64% of the electorate. A democratically elected Govt with a democratically endorsed constitution. What is about the above that people cannot comprehend? I am no fan of any religion nor the MB – yet the facts are the facts. The majority of the people of Egypt want the MB and their policies.

    8
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    Mute BPA Free Paper Rolls
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    Jul 9th 2013, 7:02 AM

    Can you explain what you disagree with ?

    1
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    Mute Bramley Hawthorne
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    Jul 8th 2013, 4:54 PM

    The US and the West has succeeded in turning another Middle Eastern country into a permanent battleground of faction fighting – Iraq, Yemen, Tunisia, Syria, Egypt. The arms manufacturers will make a killing.

    9
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    Mute Tony Kennedy
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    Jul 8th 2013, 6:34 PM

    How exactly are the US and the West responsible for this? Not long ago people were complaining that the US and the West had not done enough. Do you honestly think the West benefits from constant turmoil in the region?

    12
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    Mute Kevin Cooney
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    Jul 8th 2013, 8:06 PM

    Tony – The US pays the salaries of the Egyptian military for a start. Read up.

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    Mute BPA Free Paper Rolls
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    Jul 8th 2013, 8:33 PM

    Of course they do. Easier to steal resources when people attention is somewhere else. It’s happened dozens of times. Really educate your self on new world order.

    6
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    Mute Tony Kennedy
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    Jul 8th 2013, 9:15 PM

    Have you any links to prove the “US pays the salaries of the Egyptian military”? Now I mean categorical evidence not some spurious link about military grants.

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    Mute Kevin Cooney
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    Jul 8th 2013, 11:14 PM

    Tony – $1.3 billion a year. It’s no secret. Google it!

    5
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    Mute Kevin Cooney
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    Jul 8th 2013, 11:35 PM

    Tony – PS oil prices are rising and arms sales are through the roof. The most profitable companies involved in same are USA companies. Exxon and Locheed Martin are just two worth looking at. Great news for their shareholders. Misery for millions.

    6
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    Mute Johnnathan Biskalero
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    Jul 8th 2013, 5:39 PM

    Just a question seeing that the government lied about all the election promises like Morsi……..would it be ok if the Irish Army stormed the Dail right now and take over the country ?? I mean they done as much damage to this economy than Morsi has done to Egypt so who is up for an Army coup in Ireland ?

    7
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    Mute Jason Culligan
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    Jul 8th 2013, 6:09 PM

    Arguably they couldn’t as Fine Gael have done nothing that threatens our fundemental rights. Morsi was moving to turn Egypt into an Islamic dictatorship which would have forced sharia law on everyone there. As bad as the coalition has been they haven’t tried to strip our rights to vote, wrapped the legal system in chains and forced religious law on everyone…yet.

    7
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    Mute Adam Wade
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    Jul 8th 2013, 4:41 PM

    I just hope the Western Powers like US and Uk, as well as other countries stay out of this. They’ll just make things worse like Syria. But sadly I think it’s only a matter of time.

    6
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    Mute BPA Free Paper Rolls
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    Jul 8th 2013, 8:31 PM

    They have helped to organise the coup. And it started on the day he was elected

    6
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    Mute Adam Wade
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    Jul 8th 2013, 9:17 PM

    Yeah i’m not denying that, but I feel there will be more to come if a civil war breaks out

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    Mute simonjblake
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    Jul 8th 2013, 5:58 PM

    I blame Anglo.

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    Mute Martin Forde
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    Jul 8th 2013, 5:29 PM

    The Irish government is not democratic it gone against the will of the people of Ireland for bailing out banks and bond holders, when will it stop or do we have to have blood on our streets like Egypt.

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