The World has witnesses for some days a dreadful situation in Egypt, with hundreds of people being killed or wounded in military attacks in the capital Cairo (population about eleven million).

The media are adamant that a massacre is taking place – but what is the truth? Certainly the Army have the upper hand; they have more firepower, are better equipped and are trained to kill. They are a force to be reckoned with,

The Army’s adversaries are a rabble of religious fanatics – the Muslim Brotherhood. You have to be a bit thick to think that you can shoot at the Army and get away with it. There was only going to be one winner. People seem to ignore the fact that dozens of security forces have also been killed by the Brotherhood (certainly 50 or more) – no wonder the Police and Army respond with even greater violence in retribution.

The leadership of the Brotherhood are inciting their followers to attack the Army and kill solders or Police. In Egypt the Army are a dominant power – they will not put up with the violence, the rioting, the attacks, the stoning, the petrol bombs – and why should they? [They are not as tolerant as our ‘restrained’ British Army!]. The Brotherhood walk the streets wielding Kalashnikovs (no wonder the Army are trigger happy), and are also provoking violent protests in other parts of the country as well, with police stations , government buildings (and even Churches) being attacked and arson’d. They had set up a number of Islamist encampments in Cairo causing major problems and disruption – it was hardly surprising that the Army eventually destroyed them in a crackdown, but they were met with violence, and that directly led to so many more deaths unfortunately. [The Brotherhood is increasingly likely to be deemed a terrorist organisation trying to create chaos in Egypt].

The provisional government want to restore order and peace, so have imposed a state of emergency and a curfew – let’s hope it is effective and works. Egypt, with a population of some eighty five million, is a major influencing factor in the Middle East and has been for many years – the current situation represents a significant risk to the stability of the region (the international community, particularly America, need to help to stabilise matters – not simply express aghast at the killings). The Army say they want to restore democracy and have elections when stability is achieved – lets hope that happens soon.

Some parts of Egypt are deemed to be safe (but it is a volatile situation) – the Red Sea holiday havens such as Sharm el-Sheikh and Dahab are safe and the authorities are trying to protect the valuable tourist industry with extra security. [Forty thousand British Tourists normally visit Egypt].

The problem, the unrest, the violence, arises from the fact that the President Mohamed Morsi has been deposed by the Army. While it is true that he was actually elected democratically a year ago, he promised to be a President to represent all the people of Egypt. But he quickly brought in a new constitution to suit his own ends and proceeded to run the country to the benefit of the Brotherhood. The millions, who had protested to get rid of the previous incumbent Mubarak with eighteen days of demonstrations, felt utterly cheated and unsurprisingly took to the streets again. [Mubarak was also suspected in being involved in the assassination of his predecessor President Sadat in October 1981 – but it is said he is going to be released shortly!].

The Army had no choice but to step in again and remove Morsi (despite the fact that he was elected) as the general population were demanding that he go – the Army behaved responsibly in doing their duty.

It is said that Muslims will no longer trust the ballot box. Therein lays the point! Religion has NO PLACE in Politics. You cannot allow religious candidates to stand in elections. Inevitable their religion will dictate everything they do (and the largest religious group will win!) – god is great after all. The Egyptian decision to allow the Muslim Brotherhood to enter the election for President is a case in point and brought about this disaster – it was inevitable they would win the election on a religious platform – after all there are more Muslims than Christians and other religions and atheists combined!

Egypt now needs a strong leader to emerge to take the country forward under a new constitution – and certainly NOT a religious figurehead who would only bring further divisiveness.