No Going Back

"The declaration of the Muslim Brotherhood is far fetched. In the final analysis we have to agree that there is no going back to the past."
Egyptian Prime Minister Hazem Beblawi

Screen shot of Egyptian security forces squaring off against protestors in Cairo, Egypt in July 2013. Photo: CBS News.

No compromise as well, since that time has long since passed. It was initially offered, and it was spurned. Instead the Muslim Brotherhood incited its followers to go out into the public sphere and protest, conduct sit-ins, challenge the authority of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces and the newly-appointed government taking the place of the officially elected Mohammed Morsi.

Funerals, in the Muslim world, always seem to signal an opportunity to riot, and for the response from authorities to result in additional funerals. The death of over 80 followers of the Muslim Brotherhood in weekend violence has not abated the ardour of Brotherhood faithful to continue their defiance and insistence on the return of Mohammed Morsi to the presidency. 

The Rabaa al-Adawia mosque in eastern Cairo  remains an encouragement flashpoint to give Brotherhood faithful the spur they need to goad them on to further protests. Mohammed Badie, the top Brotherhood cleric exults in the opportunity to launch attacks on General Abdel Fattah el-Sissi for his "bloody regime", calling on followers to remain steadfast. "Don't be sad and don't despair", he urges them.

Prime Minister Beblawi defends the military. The clashes represented a truly "unfortunate" event. "I do not doubt what the security forces have explained -- that they did not use excessive violence", he reiterated. Stating that were he ever to believe otherwise, he would immediately surrender his post, but that such a belief in such an event was inconceivable.

Though many high-ranking members of the Muslim Brotherhood have been put safely away in prison after their brief re-acquaintance with liberty, some remain at large. Like Mohammed Ali Beshr, who insists his party has no intention of backing down. "Bring Mohammed Morsi back and then, under legitimacy, we can negotiate. Under a coup we will not talk at all."

A video posted on social networking sites show police and others in civilian clothing pointing rifles at protesters who are wearing industrial helmets and homemade body armour, standing behind makeshift barricades. Another one posted by the Interior Ministry shows protesters hurling stones and firebombs at security forces from behind their barricades. And a masked man shooting at police with a pistol.

Witnesses accuse the army of the use of live rounds. And of snipers being present and ordered to "shoot(ing) to kill" the Islamist protesters. Khaled el-Khateeb, head of the Health Ministry's emergency and intensive care department said the death toll from the violence stood at 80, while an official at Cairo's main morgue said the facility received an additional 11 bodies on Sunday.

Interim President Adly Mansour has given Prime Minister Beblawi the power to allow the military to arrest civilians. Interpreted by some Brotherhood supporters as a signal for a major attack against the protest camp. A situation that doesn't seem ready to be resolved any time soon.