EGYPT is struggling with an internal and violent political and social conflict which will continue to undermine domestic stability.

Its security, economy and social cohesion have been battered by a continuing tripartite struggle between the Muslim Brotherhood and its forces and supporters, the liberals and the youth who together led the popular street uprisings over the last two years. Those uprisings led to the downfall of two presidents, Hosni Mubarak (1981 to 2011) and Mohamed Morsi (June 2012 to July 2013).

The army has shifted positions in this struggle to maintain order and to protect its own significant economic interests amounting to 20 per cent of the Egyptian economy.

Recent violence, such as the explosion at the Military Intelligence Headquarters in Ismailia on October 19, 2013, is blamed on the Muslim Brotherhood.

The latest flashpoint between the four groups is the proposed ‘law on demonstrations’ which strictly regulates street protests. It is being fiercely opposed by both the liberals and the Brotherhood.

(Author not mentioned, World Review, date unknown) Read Original