1. The change in the composition of the Tunisian government ousting RCD ministers seems to have satisfied the UGTT. This is a sign that the protest now will be weakened. The protest was gathering sympathy again with an ever recurring discussion on regionalism and regional identity. The people are aware and they are pushing their agenda, through. The protest will continue as a pressure card and a watchdog counting every breath Ghannouchi and his crew take. A strong anti-American sentiment is growing, now that it is clear that the Americans are trying to hijack the revolution and secure the loyalty of the new regime.
2. Today (Friday 28) in Egypt is a crucial day to test the balance of forces. The regime is extremely nervous and very close to losing control; the Americans are also becoming nervous and in continuous contact with the army. A coup in Egypt is likely, especially with the outcome of Tunisia that took everybody by surprise. The Americans cannot afford to lose Egypt, so I believe if the regime shakes tomorrow they will give a green light for a military coup. The people in Egypt must be aware and should fight a coup as hard as they fight Mubarak. The Battle for Egypt will be hard and lengthy and it will continue after Mubarak leaves. The people have to dig in, and dig in deep.
Dyab Abou Jahjah is founder and former president of the Arab European League. This article was first published in his blog Abou Jahjah Comments on 28 January 2011; it is reproduced here for non-profit educational purposes. Cf. “Protesters Warmly Welcome Four Armed Military Vehicles in Downtown Cairo” (Al-Masry Al-Youm, 28 January 2011); As’ad AbuKhalil, “I Received This Message about Egypt” (Angry Arab News Service, 28 January 2011).
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