Egypt army: Our power is a curse

By Lucy Osborne12 April 2012

Egypt's ruling military council refused today to back down to protesters' demands for a delay to elections - and claimed holding power was a "curse not a blessing".

Speaking on TV, members of the council announced Monday's parliamentary polls will go ahead despite days of fighting in Cairo.

They also dismissed calls for them to step down immediately, saying it would be a "betrayal" of the people's trust. Fighting in Tahrir Square did stop today with both sides honouring a truce after five days of violence.

The military also apologised over the loss of 38 lives. Protesters have vowed to continue peaceful demonstrations until the council backs down.
Major-General Mukhtar el-Mallah said Egyptians should "focus" on the elections, not street protests. He claimed the tens of thousands in Tahrir did not represent the whole nation.
He added: "We will not relinquish power because of a slogan-chanting crowd ... Being in power is not a blessing. It is a curse. It's a very heavy responsibility."

One protester, Mervat El Nahas, told the Evening Standard: "We are unconvinced by the apology. We will continue until all the activists are let out of jails and the police stop shooting.
"This has been a peaceful protest just like it was in February, it is the police that have injured and killed so many.

"All we have to defend ourselves is stones. We still have ambulances on standby, taking blood all over the capital, ready to distribute it to Tahrir if needed. All walks of life are here, helping, and will continue to do so."

Mohammed Ghneim, who has been in Tahrir since Friday, added: "We believe the truce was some kind of deal between the military and the Muslim Brotherhood because they are so desperate for the elections on Monday to happen, so they can be in power."

Demonstrations began on Saturday morning in the worst violence since president Hosni Mubarak was overthrown in February.

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