Egyptian army intervenes in deadly Port Said violence

Violent protests in Port Said have killed over 30 people, wounding 100s Egyptian armed forces have intervened in violent clashes in Port Said, which have killed at least 30 people, following a court ruling on the Port Said football stadium massacre.The army deployed tanks and armoured vehicles in an attempt to quell the violence, a response to a Saturday court ruling which condemned 21 people to death after clashes with al-Masry and al-Ahly ultras during the Port Said football massacre left 79 people dead in February 2012.
President Mohammed Morsi meanwhile presided over a National Defence Council meeting on Saturday evening, also attended by Information Minister Salah Abdel Maksoud.
A statement issued after the meeting, from the Quba presidential palace, hinted at the possibility of a curfew or state of emergency in affected areas.
President Morsi also offered his condolences to the deceased and injured protesters.
“In the context of the violence the country is witnessing which threatens Egypt’s national security,” the National Defence Council said, “the Council has carefully analysed the political and security situation in order to uphold the rule of law.”
The Council statement has condemned the violence, calling on protesters to engage in dialogue with government representatives.
Security expert Sameh Seif Yazal meanwhile demanded the Egyptian army impose a curfew on Port Said to control violence in affected areas.
“The armed forces will only intervene to protect the security interests of the regime,” Yazal claimed. “It should work to restore calm in inflamed areas.”
Political science professor Ahmed Abed Rabbo also claimed the National Defence Council statement demonstrated a “lack of decision-making.”
“The demands of the revolution are clear: ‘Bread, freedom and social justice,’” Rabbo said. “But unfortunately none of these demands have been achieved yet.”
Professor Rabbo called on President Mohammed Morsi to instigate a comprehensive national dialogue with all political forces within the country, to implement the demands of demonstrators.