Clashes in Egypt leave 24 dead

Egypt's Prime Minister Essam Sharaf has called for peace after 24 people were killed during clashes between Coptic Christians and security forces, which escalated into riots.

The confrontations occurred in Cairo after an attack on a church in Aswan province last week. It is reported that Muslims joined in the clashed, fighting for both sides.

Sharaf called an emergency cabinet meeting today. There is immense pressure on ministers and on the country's military rulers to give assurances about national harmony. Sharaf said discord between Muslims and Christians in Egypt was "a threat to the country's security".

Sharaf toured the area where the clashes transpired and later in a televised address said: “The most serious threat to the country's security is tampering with national unity, and the stirring of discord between Muslim and Christian sons of Egypt."

He added that violence of this nature, the worst since former president Hosni Mubarak was ousted in February, was "tampering with the relationship between the people and the army".

Egyptian TV showed footage of protesters clashing with security forces as army vehicles burned outside the state TV building where protesters had originally planned a sit-in. There were also reports that vehicles were burning outside the Coptic hospital, where many of the wounded were taken.

Sectarian tensions have increased in recent months. The Copts, who make up about 10 per cent of the population, accuse the military of being too tolerant of religiously prompted attacks.

Thousands of people both Christian and Muslim joined the initial march from the Shubra district of northern Cairo to the state TV building in Maspero Square. They were calling on the military council to sack the governor of Aswan province.

The violence erupted outside the state TV building but soon spread to Tahrir Square, where the demonstrations against Mubarak's regime began. According to a number of reports thousands took to the streets hurling stones at one another. It is thought that Muslims joined in the protests to defend Christians who were being attacked by men in plain clothes who are thought to have been security officials.

Some people have been calling for the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) to hand over power and for its chairman Field Marshal Mohamed Tantawi to resign.

Egypt's health ministry said that at least 24 people had been killed and 212 had been wounded in the violence. Ministry spokesman Hisham Shiha told the BBC that of them at least 86 were security forces.

Sources: BBC News, The Independent, Reuters

For more news and expert analysis about Egypt, please see Egypt Politics & Security.

Egypt's cabinet reshuffled

Egypt's Prime Minister Essam Sharaf announced a cabinet reshuffle and then had trouble with the details. The swearing-in was delayed because he had to go to hospital to test for low blood pressure. He asked incumbents to continue in their posts until the baton could be passed to those nominated to succeed. First one, then another of the Ministers Designate withdrew. The muddle demonstrates the lack of political experience and acuity of those currently governing Egypt, both in the military and among the civilians.

The ministers of justice, interior, electricity, international co-operation, education, petroleum, culture, environment, tourism, manpower (labour) and social solidarity have all kept their posts.

Key changes include the appointment of two deputy prime ministers, both in their mid-70s, which scarcely reflects the demographics of the new Egypt.

A veteran economist, Hazem Beblawi, has been appointed as the deputy prime minister for economic affairs as well as finance minister. He replaces Samir Radwan who was seen as being too closely associated with the old ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) and in favour of a major role in the economy.

Beblawi, who had worked for many years in the UN and other agencies, is a former chairman of the Export Development Bank. He has stated in early interviews his commitment to the market economy.

He was a founding member of the new, secular Egyptian Social Democratic Party, although has also been associated with the liberal Wafd party and has been critical of the old regime.

The Wafd has a number of other members in the cabinet, including the incumbent Minister of Tourism Mounir Fakhri Abdel-Nour and Minister of Information Osama Heikal.

For more news and expert analysis about Egypt, please see Egypt Politics & Security.

© 2011 Menas Associates

South Sudan and Egypt in Nile talks

Egypt's Prime Minister Essam Sharaf met with South Sudan's President Salva Kiir on Monday 28th March, while on a two day visit to Juba. The talks between the two officials revolved around plans to increase water resources from the Nile Basin.

Sharaf was accompanied by a delegation of government representatives, including Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hussein El-Atfi. The two sides agreed to revive plans to construct the Jonglei Canal in South Sudan, which would channel swamp-water back into the Nile increasing availability by almost 4 billion cubic metres per year.

Speaking about the deal, El-Atfi said Egypt had already contributed $800,000 to the renovation of three water level measurement stations in South Sudan, and promised to contribute a further $1.1 million to restore three more stations by the end of this year.

Both side agreed that water saved by the canal would be divided equally, and signed an MoU to that effect.

On his part, Kirr commended the Egyptian delegation for its willingness to co-operated with one of Africa's newest countries, and expressed hope to improve bilateral business in oil, gas, transport and agriculture.

Egyptian Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Nabil Al-Arabi said Egypt will recognise the newly-formed state of South Sudan, adding: "Sudan intends to be the first to recognize Juba and Egypt intends to be the second.”

Sources: Bikyamasar, Sudan Vision, AllAfrica

For more news and expert analysis about the Sahara region, please see Sahara Focus.

For more news and expert analysis about Egypt, please see Egypt Politics & Security.