One protester killed in clashes in Egyptian capital

Sarah Lynch, USA TODAY | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption Egyptians, police clash over state of emergency Egyptian protesters and police clashed on Monday, as protests continued after President Mohammed Morsi declared a state of emergency. (Jan. 28)

Protester died of gunshot wounds%2C officials say

More than 50 died during weekend clashes across the country

A curfew and state of emergency issued by president will be enforced for 30 days

CAIRO – At least one person was killed as violence erupted Monday near Tahrir Square, following several days of unrest that has cascaded across the country and left more than 50 people dead.

In the latest clashes, riot police fired tear gas at rock-throwing protesters in central Cairo, and one protester died of gunshot wounds, health and security officials told the Associated Press. .

The violence began Friday, the second anniversary of the uprising that toppled Hosni Mubarak in 2011. The latest protests are driven by demands for change and directed at President Mohammed Morsi.

Unrest spilled into the weekend in the Mediterranean City of Port Said when an Egyptian court sentenced 21 people to death in connection with a deadly soccer riot last February.

The violence indicates that the course the ruling Muslim Brotherhood has taken over the past several months isn't working, said political analyst Khaled Fahmy, a professor at American University in Cairo. It also shows that there are deep, inherent frustrations that triggered the revolution in the first place.

"And they haven't been dealt with," Fahmy said.

Issues related to a spiraling economy, failure to overhaul the security sector, and deep vexations over the troubled country are among the root reasons for unrest, he said.

On Sunday, Morsi declared a state of emergency and 30-day curfew from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. for residents of Suez, Ismailia and Port Said – three major Egyptian cities that have seen the bulk of deadly violence. Morsi also called for a national dialogue with the opposition, led by the National Salvation Front, an umbrella coalition of opposition groups, but they rejected the invitation.

Mohamed ElBaradei, who coordinates the coalition, said Morsi's call for dialogue wasn't serious and "could only lead to a dead end," according to local press. "None of the revolution's goals have been achieved, such as freedom and social justice," ElBaradei said, echoing the protesters.

ElBaradei said Morsi must first appoint a national unity government and name a commission to amend the disputed constitution that was ratified in a referendum last month before his side can join a dialogue. He also wants Morsi to take legislative powers from the Islamist-dominated upper house of parliament, or the Shura Council, a usually toothless body, elected early last year by less than 10% of Egypt's registered voters.

Analyst Fahmy said the president is using tactics mirroring those of the old regime.

"Using security to crack down on dissent while appearing to be ready for dialogue – this is vintage Mubarak," he said. "This is the same security solution to a problem that is social and political."

Some other analysts agree that violence is likely in the coming days amid an atmosphere of growing polarization.

"There appears to be an absence of will on behalf of the opposition to help Morsi contain violence," said Middle East analyst David Hartwell, at IHS Jane's, a defense and security intelligence agency in London. "The situation will remain politically divided, and while that happens the prospects of further clashes are still there."

Contributing: Associated Press



