Back to Square One

It's been a weekend of violent clashes between protesters and security forces in Egypt as the ruling military council takes control of the new constitution.

Egyptian protesters have headed back to Tahrir Square this weekend demanding that the military stop trying to control the new constitution and transfer power back to civilians. On Friday, tens of thousands of people, (mostly Islamists and a few left-leaning revolutionary groups) rallied in the square, offering an alarming sign that Egypt’s Islamists and ruling military council were no longer cooperating nicely. A proposal to give the military power over the new constitution has been widely controversial, sparking riots as the country prepares for parliamentary elections. The military forcibly tried to stop the activists on Friday and dismantled their tent city, claiming that daytime occupation is fine, but overnight or long-term occupation hurts the city.