How long can the world hold its breath? The 24 hour news media went off at a cracking pace when the demonstrations in Egypt started, and were beginning to fade when suddenly we hear that the army have taken power and that Mubarak will speak to the nation.
Mubarak's speech last night was extraordinary only for its sameness: the devoted patriot cannot let his people down by deserting his post. But the army?
In truth it is hard to see how there can be any 'transfer of power' (we are all trying to avoid the word 'revolution') without it going through the army. Mubarak's first concession was to appoint Omar Suleiman as Vice President. Mubarak had slipped into the job after the assassination of Sadat having been vice president, but he was an air force officer and represented the army faction. Suleiman was chief of the secret police and there was never the prospect of the crowds trusting him to hold elections. So it had to be the army.
The army will probably see off Mubarak. The question remains whether having gained power it would be prepared to cede it to democracy.
Go back to holding your breath.
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