A state of emergency was today declared in Suez following a gun attack on Sinai airport yesterday.
This crisis is happening against the backdrop of months of unrest and the deposition and detention of President Morsi by army chiefs earlier this week.
The Egyptian army claim that he ‘wasn’t meeting the demands of the people’ and that in the circumstances they had no choice but to act.
Following this military coup the African Union today announced that Egypt will be suspended from the organisation.
MM took to the streets of Manchester to find out what you think about President Morsi being forced out, we asked:
Following the military ocup in Egypt, do you think it’s ever right for an elected government to be overthrown?
| Option | Result |
| Yes | 45% |
| No | 55% |
The Greater Manchester public were split by the army’s actions many sympathised with the demands of the Egyptian people but highlighted the fact that the army are not a political body.
Simon Connolly, 44, ex-army from Salford said: “I agree with the overthrow of elected governments in extreme cases such as Syria.
“I was worried about Egypt because however you dress it up a military coup is a military coup but they seem to have done it for the right reasons.”
Sarah, from Cheshire said: “I disagree with the military coup. Mr Morsi was elected as the people’s choice and they should have had another set of elections.”
John Hammond, 66, retired from Disley said: “It is wrong for Mr Morsi to be removed. The elections should be seen as a promise that Mr Morsi and his party will lead for four years. Although I don’t think Mr Morsi is good for Egypt, can you imagine what would happen if Mr Cameron was ousted by a military coup?”
Mark Holder, 37, who works in services from Stockport, said: “It is acceptable for governments to be overthrown when they aren’t working for the people they represent.”
Clare Foster, 50, a sales assistant from Salford, said: “Just because a country is functioning under the name of a democracy doesn’t mean it truly is a democracy.
“In a case where a government has lost sight of what it is there to do, to represent the people, then I fully support the removal of such a government.”
Mohammed Zaghrool, a PhD student from Iraq but studying in Manchester told us: “The army’s actions were illegal but necessary.
“Mr Morsi was elected as a representative of the people. The people expected him to represent them but he has become withdrawn from the people.”
Joe O’Brien, 29 from Cork said: “I agree with the removal of Mr Morsi but the army should not have acted. The constitution was flawed, there should have been a legitimate means by which to remove Mr Morsi.”
Megan Hughes, 24, a senior sales advisor from Rusholme said: “I agree with what has happened in Egypt. Although it is not the best way to go about it, in this case it was the only way. If the people want it then that is democracy.”
Guillaume, 22 from Piccadilly, who works for an international parking firm, said: “The army is not a political body and I don’t think they have the right to remove the government from power.”
Picture courtesy of nebedaay via Flickr, with thanks
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