Egypt's gov't delays plans to Cairo clear sit-ins

 Egypt’s Prosecutor General has announced that former President Mohamed Morsi will be detained for another 15 days pending an investigation into accusations of espionage. Meanwhile, there are conflicting reports on whether the government is on the verge of beginning to clear out the sit-ins being held by Muslim Brotherhood supporters, or if authorities have decided to delay dispersing the protesters.

A minor flood of sewage water on Wednesday, electricity black out on Saturday night and strong rumors of an imminent attack on Monday morning. These are all part of a psychological game being played out by the interim government against the Muslim brotherhood protesters.

Ahmed Yehya, Editor-In-Chief of Ertu News, said, "The government is trying to use all peaceful means to disperse them. I expect they will repeat their warnings so that more people leave the sit in peacefully. Water cannons and tear gas could then be used in the clear out first. It could turn violent because there is evidence of weapons with protesters and if used then the police will hit back."

The protesters seem defiant. Although a small number have left the sit in, there still remain thousands camped inside not willing to leave, in spite of the threats of force. The latest decision by the Prosecutor General to extend Morsi’s detention by another 15 days for accusations of espionage, further aggravated his supporters.

Ahmed Assiouty, Morsi Supporter, said, "If the police attack the sit in, it will be a massacre and if they succeed we will all move to Tahrir and Presidential Palace to continue our demonstrations until the president is freed"

The interim leadership says it has exhausted all possible means to end the stalemate peacefully.

It received foreign envoys and officials to mediate, has called on the Muslim brotherhood to join the interim government, and lately, Al Azhar invited all political forces for peace talks.

But to no avail.

Mustafa Hegazy, President’s Political Advisor, said, "After the failure of all mediation efforts, the government has no option now but to end the sit in by force if needed. . The Prime Minister has given the green light to the Minister of Interior to move in when he sees appropriate strategically"

The government is under pressure from the millions who went down to the streets on the 26th of July to give Minister of Defense Abdel Fattah Al Sissy, the mandate to clean up the sit ins. They are demanding action now.

Khaled Ibrahim, Anti-Morsi Protester, said, "There are weapons in the sit-ins and many people were confirmed killed by the muslim brotherhood last month. Every lost day means stronger resistance by the brotherhood. We should not waste any more time"

In the meantime, for both sides of the conflict, the waiting continues

Al Sisy is considered a hero by Egyptians who backed the ouster of Mohamed Morsi but he is now in a critical stage. He loses followers every time there is a delay in ending the sit-ins, and he could lose more if the clear out resulted in bloodshed and killings. Experts say, Al Sisy’s next decision would surely shape the future of Egypt.