Coptic Christians Rage Against Egypt’s Army

Egypt’s revolution demanding human rights and just representation could be high-jacked by special interests. Tensions between Muslims and Coptic Christians, the latter making up about 10 percent of Egypt’s population of 80 million, are on the rise. The military took brutal measures on Coptic Christians protesting the burning of a church by Muslim extremists, and at least 25 people died. The United Nations and western diplomats urge Egypt to respect the rights of minorities. “A staggered parliamentary vote that lasts until March followed by drawing up a new constitution could push the vote back to the end of 2012 or early 2013, leaving presidential powers in the hands of the military council until then,” reports the Daily Star in Lebanon. Presidential elections are not scheduled. Minorities complain that laws are not enforced fairly. Sharp political divisions and a vacuum of power could delay a transfer of Egypt’s government control from the military to civilians. Diverse groups must find a common purpose to defeat extremists who would disrupt the peace to achieve their narrow objective. – YaleGlobal