Egyptian Army: 'We Will Not Use Force'

[muriel_volestrangler]

Source: Sky News

The Egyptian army has said it will not use force against protesters calling for the removal of President Hosni Mubarak ahead of a "million people" march.

The military said it considers the people's demands "legitimate".

At almost exactly the same time as the announcement was made, several tanks blocking access to Cairo's main square where protests have been taking place, rolled back some 500 metres.

Everyone was looking at each other in almost disbelief because the tanks had been stationed here for a few days.

Read more: http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Egyptian-Army-We-Wont-Use-Force-Against-Protesters/Article/201103415919803?lpos=World_News_Top_Stories_Header_0&lid=ARTICLE_15919803_Egyptian_Army%3A_We_Wont_Use_Force_Against_Protesters

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BBC radio reporter commented this is the end for Mubarak, in so many words.

[xchrom]

1. Recommend - a peaceful outcome for The People. Nt

[The Doctor.]

2. Truly Awesome.

People of the world take note.

[tavalon]

29. I'd suggest holding your applause until this stabilizes

I hope for a positive outcome for the Egyptian people, but as has happened in other revolutions, sometimes worse oppression comes instead of something better. I want something better for them. But we don't really get to decide that. I'm sending positive energy (like prayer - but I'm not Christian). I do hope we will be celebrating for them, I really do.

[The Doctor.]

32. The Egyptian people are no fools... or so I've gathered.

They know damn well that Mubarak is trying a 'facelift', and they aren't falling for it.

The army? These people are still pissed off, and no army can deal with 20 times their own size force regardless of training and equipment.

Add to that; the army is leaning toward the people.

[tavalon]

34. Yeah, whatever happens later will happen

Today is sublime. The military officially told Mubarek they wouldn't stop the protesters. This is a magnificent moment in Egyptian history, happening right before our eyes.

[LiberalLoner]

3. Yessssssss!!!!!Jumps with Joy n/t k&r

[Turborama]

4. -Egypt army: will not use violence against citizens

Source: Reuters

CAIRO Jan 31 (Reuters) - The army said on Monday it would not use force against Egyptians staging protests demanding President Hosni Mubarak step down, a statement said.

It said "freedom of expression" was guaranteed to all citizens using peaceful means.

It was the first such explicit confirmation by the army that it would not fire at demonstrators who have taken to the streets of Egypt since last week to try to force Mubarak to quit.

"The presence of the army in the streets is for your sake and to ensure your safety and wellbeing. The armed forces will not resort to use of force against our great people," the army statement said.

"Your armed forces, who are aware of the legitimacy of your demands and are keen to assume their responsibility in protecting the nation and the citizens, affirms that freedom of expression through peaceful means

Read more: http://af.reuters.com/article/egyptNews/idAFLDE70U2JC20110131

[elleng]

5. Its been pretty clear, from observation; its GREAT to see it stated explicitly.

[Bragi]

6. Well, well

So far so good.

(I don't want to become over-optimistic. Too many past disappointments.)

[EnviroBat]

7. I'm curious how they are handling the riot police?

I would think the riot police would follow suit when faced with a military that has them out-gunned...

[Posteritatis]

13. They've mainly been keeping a low profile from what I've been seeing

At least yesterday the army was doing the heavy lifting with regards to law enforcement, alongside citizen militias (who were turning looters over to them).

[Turborama]

8. I've been making a compilation of pictures showing how the army are getting on with the protesters

Here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x310581

[lunatica]

9. Wow! No wonder the people like their military.

kick'd and rec'd

[dipsydoodle]

10. K&R

.

[sulphurdunn]

11. Well, that's it then. Game over.

And the current regime retires to Davos, the Riviera or Bahrain where they will remain part of the global elite who will continue to control that nation's economic future, even from afar.

[FirstLight]

12. well...can

people all over take a hint?

peaceful change is possible! :woohoo:

[myrna minx]

14. Amazing. K&R n/t

[northamericancitizen]

15. K & R

[suffragette]

16. K&R

[Moosepoop]

17. Excellent! K&R! n/t

[defendandprotect]

18. "Go to it," eh? Good news re the military ... and trust this will not be turned around ...!!

[truedelphi]

19. If a larger government, on the other side of the world, offers the

Egyptian military the style of Homeland Security devices now available to our military to dissuade the protesters - it will be in the form of ELF and micro wave technology that will either sub consciously make people leave, or else, inflict thermal heating on their skin - so the protesters will leave the area.

[decidedlyso]

23. They would do that once and there would be a virtual riot.

[dd2003]

20. great news

:)

[florida08]

21. wow

Don't you like people that think for themselves..regardless of their job/position. :woohoo:

[Dennis Donovan]

22. No word from Mubarak's "police forces" though....

I have a sick feeling that something's going to happen tonight involving the recently-invisible police forces...:scared:

[PatrynXX]

24. This would be key to Iran

If they'd really done this with a bang and kept going. Egypt should be a model. However Iran will be different. That bang has already happened. and the PM seems to have more power than the Attollah does (sp)

It began to show towards the end of the protests of 2009. Where some of the military began to turn on the assassination. Because they refused to kill their own people.

Which in most places my Beagle remains green.

[rtassi]

25. wonder what we could learn from that? n/t

[Redstone]

26. Excellent. And in Egypt, what the Army says, goes.

So, so good to hear that they refuse to fire upon their fellow Egyptians.

Redstone

[jaysunb]

27. Game, set, match....

spend well Mr Honsi. :evilfrown:

Now, on to Saudi Arabia.....

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

28. The "military" can't say shit.

However, I applaud the individual(s) who said it.

[lib2DaBone]

30. That is wonderful news.... Just wish we had freedom in the United States...

..where we are forced to take off our shoes and belts and have our crotch groped.... where you can be put on the "No Fly" list if you dare voice your concern...


In the U.S. , where you must be drug tested for even a minimum wage job at fast food...

In the U.S. where where facial recognition cameras are on every corner and licnese plate readers are posted at the entrance to upscale enclaves...


http://www.baynews9.com/article/news/2010/march/92493/Camera-idea-for-Longboat-Key-creates-controversy

[truedelphi]

41. In solidarity -

:hug:

[unkachuck]

31. "...army has said it will not use force against protesters..."

....the Egyptian Army has demonstrated so far, that an army of conscripts is much safer for Egyptians than a professional army of corporate right-wing fascists....

[Shining Jack]

33. K&R

Great news.

[earcandle]

35. We can only intend... check out my live footage for rally in san francisco

Rally in Solidarity with People of Egypt

[rasputin1952]

36. So far, it looks like this will remain peaceful...

with the Army backing down, this might have an excellent outcome.

No more blood in the streets.

Murabak should just leave...I believe he will. The only thing stopping from leaving him is his ego.

[dipsydoodle]

37. Poster seen in Egypt today

reported by BBC :

'People shouldn't be afraid of their government, governments should be afraid of their peoples'."

[4lbs]

38. That's probably due to the idea that military service is mandatory in Egypt.

So the military is full of young, actually quite educated, men. Either several years before or after college. Most are in their 20s or early 30s. Men who have many friends and family among the protestors.

Thus, firing on them might as well be shooting at your brother or mother. That's not going to happen.

Now, the Egyptian police, on the other hand, are mainly older (30s and 40s) and much more loyal to Mubarak.

[defendandprotect]

39. US Ambarassador met w/El Baradei -- Clinton saying US wants a peaceful transition....

[defendandprotect]

40. The right to free assembly has to be reasserted in the US -- and we need a

commitment from our own government that it still supports that right --

especially with elections coming and the establishment of "free speech" zones

in previous years -- which should no longer be accepted -- but fought!!

We also need an adjustment in the thinking of our police forces -- to support

the Constitution and the people -- not those who stand against civil liberties!!