Presiding Bishop Mouneer Anis Describes the Situation in Cairo

(The Presiding Bishop of Jersualem and the Middle East, Mouneer Anis, spoke with Robert Lundy of the American Anglican Council on Friday, February 4 and described the current situtation in Egypt and how his Church is dealing with it.)

American Anglican Council
February 4, 2011
By Robert Lundy, AAC Communications

AAC Question: What is the situation like in Cairo right now?

++Anis:Right now we have big demonstrations in Tahrir square, which is very close to us here. There are many groups in this square with very different requests and very different backgrounds. There is a big group who are in fact Muslim Brotherhood. On the other hand there is another square about half an hour from us and this square is also full of demonstrators who are pro President Mubarak. The pro Mubarak demonstrations started after his speech in which he announced that he would step down after the end of this term in September. He also appointed a new Vice President and said he has no desire to pass the presidency to his son. Many people were moved by his words and by his response. In what he said there is actually a positive response to about 85% of what the demonstrators were asking. They wanted a gracious transfer of authority and he promised to do this. They asked for interrogation and bringing to judgment all those responsible for the violence and looting and sad incidents and he promised to do this. They asked for alteration in the constitution and he promised to do this. They asked for a dialogue with the opposition and he promised to do this and in fact it started. So, many people felt that most of what they requested was positively accepted and that they are now working on it. But when he did that, many of the Pro-Mubarak supporters came and clashed. There was violence among those who are pro Mubarak and those who want him to step down now. And because of these clashes, demonstrations continue. I personally think that if these clashes didn't happen things would be quite calm now in Cairo. But because of these clashes, things are continuing. Today, demonstrations have been peaceful and we pray and hope these demonstrators will go back home and give an opportunity for the new government and new vice president to continue to work on the fulfillment of all these promises they have made. the rest