Violence in Egypt Continues

By Douglas V. Gibbs

Fearing the violence could become an Islamic Revolution, the world watches Egypt with concern.

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak issued a ban on protests, the violence continued, for a second day in a row.

Law enforcement moved in and used tear gas and beatings to disperse many of the protesters.

Gamal Mubarak, the son of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, is believed to have fled to London on a private plane

Security officials claims a total of 860 protesters have been rounded up nationwide since yesterday. Tens of thousands of protesters have turned out for the largest protests in years, inspired by the uprising in Tunisia.

They demanded president Mubarak's removal and a solution to grinding poverty, rising prices and high unemployment - a situation ripe for Islamists to move in and lay claim to the government.

This is nothing new, however. These riots are simply the latest in outbursts of political discontent in Egypt that have been growing more frequent and more intense over the past year.

Sectarian strife between Christians and Muslims has probably played a role in the unrest, as well.

The crackdown by authorities brought harsh words from European leaders.

-- Political Pistachio Conservative News and Commentary

Egyptian president's son 'flees to London with 100 pieces of luggage as country is rocked by second day of violence' - Daily Mail