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| Mubarak 'coma' deepens Egypt crisis - live updates | Mubarak 'coma' deepens Egypt crisis - live updates |
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| 10.32am: Egypt: Mubarak's last prime minister Ahmed Shafiq is to launch a political party whoever wins the presidential election, according to the Egypt Independent. | |
| It quotes a source as saying: | |
| We know that we will face strong resistance from some active groups in the political arena, but we are ready to play in the political field with professionalism, and we will not give in to any plot against the new party. We are sure that there are millions of Egyptian citizens who [want] to join us. | |
| Meanwhile, Shafiq's spokesman, Ahmad Sarhan has accused the Muslim Brotherhood of scaremongering ahead of the election result, by claiming its message amounts to "Morsi or Chaos", in his one of his latest tweets. | |
| 10.09am: Egypt: "Mubarak seems to have come back to life," amid widespread suspicions that reports of his failing health were manipulated to get him moved to plusher surroundings, Abdel-Rahman Hussein reports from Cairo. | 10.09am: Egypt: "Mubarak seems to have come back to life," amid widespread suspicions that reports of his failing health were manipulated to get him moved to plusher surroundings, Abdel-Rahman Hussein reports from Cairo. |
| He said the conflicting reports about Mubarak's health undermine public trust in the official version of events, including potentially the forthcoming presidential election results. | He said the conflicting reports about Mubarak's health undermine public trust in the official version of events, including potentially the forthcoming presidential election results. |
| At times when you need confirmation either way there is no official trusted source of the requisite information. That's what happened with the Mubarak 'death', and that's pretty much what happens with every incident that occurs in Egypt. The decision of the presidential election commission is binding ... But there will always be doubts cast on the results. | At times when you need confirmation either way there is no official trusted source of the requisite information. That's what happened with the Mubarak 'death', and that's pretty much what happens with every incident that occurs in Egypt. The decision of the presidential election commission is binding ... But there will always be doubts cast on the results. |
| The results of the election are due to be declared on Thursday, but appeals could delay the announcement. Abdo now predicts a victory by the Muslim Brotherhood's Mohamed Morsi. | The results of the election are due to be declared on Thursday, but appeals could delay the announcement. Abdo now predicts a victory by the Muslim Brotherhood's Mohamed Morsi. |
| There are still appeals to be considered by the commission, but as it stands now Morsi looks likely to be the winner, simply because the Morsi campaign has offered proof that their candidate is the one who won. They have the tallied reports signed by the judges from all the polling stations. The Shafiq campaign was silent for 24 hours, then came out with a somewhat hysterical press conference in which they claimed that their candidate was half a million votes ahead. They offered no justification or basis for this. I think they were just talking in the wind. | There are still appeals to be considered by the commission, but as it stands now Morsi looks likely to be the winner, simply because the Morsi campaign has offered proof that their candidate is the one who won. They have the tallied reports signed by the judges from all the polling stations. The Shafiq campaign was silent for 24 hours, then came out with a somewhat hysterical press conference in which they claimed that their candidate was half a million votes ahead. They offered no justification or basis for this. I think they were just talking in the wind. |
| It looks like Morsi's campaign got it right, barring unforeseen circumstances. [If Shafiq is declared winner] the Muslim Brotherhood will cry foul and for good reason. The only way I can see Shafiq winning is if the election commission accepts the appeals of his campaign - meaning they would have to strike out hundreds of thousands of votes, and that would be deemed a very politicised decisions and it will cause a big ruckus. | It looks like Morsi's campaign got it right, barring unforeseen circumstances. [If Shafiq is declared winner] the Muslim Brotherhood will cry foul and for good reason. The only way I can see Shafiq winning is if the election commission accepts the appeals of his campaign - meaning they would have to strike out hundreds of thousands of votes, and that would be deemed a very politicised decisions and it will cause a big ruckus. |
| I think they [the military authorities] will declare Morsi the winner because they can't afford the fallout from declaring Shafiq the winner. | I think they [the military authorities] will declare Morsi the winner because they can't afford the fallout from declaring Shafiq the winner. |
| They hold all the cards so I don't think a Morsi win will cause too much upset. Morsi will be a president with his hands tied. The military has also announced the formation of a national defence council that [will include] the president but also 16 members, 11 of which are from the military. Decision will be made by a simple majority so they will have the final say. | They hold all the cards so I don't think a Morsi win will cause too much upset. Morsi will be a president with his hands tied. The military has also announced the formation of a national defence council that [will include] the president but also 16 members, 11 of which are from the military. Decision will be made by a simple majority so they will have the final say. |
| They [the military] have ensured that irrespective of the winner they remain in charge. | They [the military] have ensured that irrespective of the winner they remain in charge. |
| The revolutionaries know that the current fight is not their fight, it is a face off between the Muslim Brotherhood and Scaf. So they are waiting to see how it's going to turn out. There is very popular refrain which is 'down with the next president' whoever it is. | The revolutionaries know that the current fight is not their fight, it is a face off between the Muslim Brotherhood and Scaf. So they are waiting to see how it's going to turn out. There is very popular refrain which is 'down with the next president' whoever it is. |
| 9.59am: Syria: American journalist Max Blumenthal has announced that he will no longer by writing for al-Akhbar, the Lebanese newspaper and website, because of its pro-Assad coverage of Syria. | 9.59am: Syria: American journalist Max Blumenthal has announced that he will no longer by writing for al-Akhbar, the Lebanese newspaper and website, because of its pro-Assad coverage of Syria. |
| Explaining his decision in a blog post, Blumenthal says he started writing for al-Akhbar because at the time he considered it "one of the most courageous publications in the Arab world". But now, he says, "the paper's opinion pages have become a playpen for dictator enablers". He writes: | Explaining his decision in a blog post, Blumenthal says he started writing for al-Akhbar because at the time he considered it "one of the most courageous publications in the Arab world". But now, he says, "the paper's opinion pages have become a playpen for dictator enablers". He writes: |
| I recently learned of a major exodus of key staffers at al-Akhbar caused at least in part by disagreements with the newspaper leadership's pro-Assad tendency. | I recently learned of a major exodus of key staffers at al-Akhbar caused at least in part by disagreements with the newspaper leadership's pro-Assad tendency. |
| The revelation helps explain why al-Akhbar English now prominently features the malevolent propaganda of Amal Saad Ghorayeb and the dillentantish quasi-analysis of Sharmine Narwani alongside editor-in-chief Ibrahim al-Amin's friendly advice for Bashar Assad, whom he attempts to depict as an earnest reformer overwhelmed by events ... | The revelation helps explain why al-Akhbar English now prominently features the malevolent propaganda of Amal Saad Ghorayeb and the dillentantish quasi-analysis of Sharmine Narwani alongside editor-in-chief Ibrahim al-Amin's friendly advice for Bashar Assad, whom he attempts to depict as an earnest reformer overwhelmed by events ... |
| I was forced to conclude that unless I was prepared to spend endless stores of energy jousting with Assad apologists, I was merely providing them cover by keeping my name and reputation associated with al-Akhbar. | I was forced to conclude that unless I was prepared to spend endless stores of energy jousting with Assad apologists, I was merely providing them cover by keeping my name and reputation associated with al-Akhbar. |
| More importantly, I decided that if I kept quiet any longer, I would be betraying my principles and those of the people who have encouraged and inspired me over the years. There is simply no excuse for me to remain involved for another day with such a morally compromised outlet. | More importantly, I decided that if I kept quiet any longer, I would be betraying my principles and those of the people who have encouraged and inspired me over the years. There is simply no excuse for me to remain involved for another day with such a morally compromised outlet. |
| 9.45am: Syria: The US has added Syria to the list of countries that could face sanctions for failing to combat the trafficking of people. Its latest annual global survey from the state department places Syria among 16 countries that are "not making significant efforts" to meet minimum standards. | 9.45am: Syria: The US has added Syria to the list of countries that could face sanctions for failing to combat the trafficking of people. Its latest annual global survey from the state department places Syria among 16 countries that are "not making significant efforts" to meet minimum standards. |
| The report says it is unclear how the current conflict has affected the human trafficking situation in Syria, but the country's downgrading seems to result from a lack of action to deal with it. The Assad regime is accused of failing to investigate and punish offences or offer protection to victims. The report says: | The report says it is unclear how the current conflict has affected the human trafficking situation in Syria, but the country's downgrading seems to result from a lack of action to deal with it. The Assad regime is accused of failing to investigate and punish offences or offer protection to victims. The report says: |
| Prior to the political uprising and violent unrest, Syria was principally a destination country for women and children subjected to forced labor or sex trafficking. Thousands of women – the majority from Indonesia, the Philippines, Somalia, and Ethiopia – were recruited by employment agencies to work in Syria as domestic servants, but were subsequently subjected to conditions of forced labour by their employers ... | Prior to the political uprising and violent unrest, Syria was principally a destination country for women and children subjected to forced labor or sex trafficking. Thousands of women – the majority from Indonesia, the Philippines, Somalia, and Ethiopia – were recruited by employment agencies to work in Syria as domestic servants, but were subsequently subjected to conditions of forced labour by their employers ... |
| Traffickers prey on Syria's large Iraqi refugee population, with some Iraqi women and girls exploited by their families or by criminal gangs; victims were sent to work in nightclubs, placed into temporary "marriages" to men for the sole purpose of prostitution, or sold to pimps who rent them out for longer periods of time. | Traffickers prey on Syria's large Iraqi refugee population, with some Iraqi women and girls exploited by their families or by criminal gangs; victims were sent to work in nightclubs, placed into temporary "marriages" to men for the sole purpose of prostitution, or sold to pimps who rent them out for longer periods of time. |
| Six other Arab countries are ranked at the same level as Syria: Algeria, Kuwait, Libya, Saudi Arabia, Sudan and Yemen. | Six other Arab countries are ranked at the same level as Syria: Algeria, Kuwait, Libya, Saudi Arabia, Sudan and Yemen. |
| 8.54am: Egypt: The cartoonist Carlos Latuff captures the suspicion of how reports of Mubarak's health are being used by Egypt's ruling generals. | 8.54am: Egypt: The cartoonist Carlos Latuff captures the suspicion of how reports of Mubarak's health are being used by Egypt's ruling generals. |
| Protesters at a Muslim Brotherhood rally last night dismissed the reports as an irrelevance, Reuters reports. | Protesters at a Muslim Brotherhood rally last night dismissed the reports as an irrelevance, Reuters reports. |
| 8.29am: (all times BST) Welcome to Middle East Live. | 8.29am: (all times BST) Welcome to Middle East Live. |
| Conflicting reports about Hosni Mubarak's health are adding renewed volatility to Egypt's political crisis ahead of the official results of a divisive presidential election, and amid mounting anger at a power grab by the military council. | Conflicting reports about Hosni Mubarak's health are adding renewed volatility to Egypt's political crisis ahead of the official results of a divisive presidential election, and amid mounting anger at a power grab by the military council. |
| Egypt | Egypt |
| • The ousted Egyptian president has been transferred to from Torah prison hospital to a military hospital and reported to be critically ill. The state news agency Mena had initially reported that Mubarak was clinically dead soon after he was taken to the military hospital. This was later denied, and Mubarak was reported to be on a life support machine. | • The ousted Egyptian president has been transferred to from Torah prison hospital to a military hospital and reported to be critically ill. The state news agency Mena had initially reported that Mubarak was clinically dead soon after he was taken to the military hospital. This was later denied, and Mubarak was reported to be on a life support machine. |
| Egyptians have been sceptical of earlier reports that his health was worsening since he was put in prison on 2 June, believing the reports were just a pretext to move him to another facility. | Egyptians have been sceptical of earlier reports that his health was worsening since he was put in prison on 2 June, believing the reports were just a pretext to move him to another facility. |
| Mubarak's health crisis added a new element of uncertainty just as a potentially explosive fight opened over who will succeed him, following elections at the weekend, and moves by the interim military government to extend its powers. | Mubarak's health crisis added a new element of uncertainty just as a potentially explosive fight opened over who will succeed him, following elections at the weekend, and moves by the interim military government to extend its powers. |
| It adds further layers to what is threatening to become a new chapter of unrest and political power struggles in Egypt, 16 months after Mubarak was removed by a popular uprising demanding democracy. Egyptians were uncertain about Mubarak's fate, about who will succeed him and about whether his successor will have any power. | It adds further layers to what is threatening to become a new chapter of unrest and political power struggles in Egypt, 16 months after Mubarak was removed by a popular uprising demanding democracy. Egyptians were uncertain about Mubarak's fate, about who will succeed him and about whether his successor will have any power. |
| The campaign of Mubarak's former prime minister, Ahmed Shafiq, said that Shafiq has won Egypt's presidential election, countering the Muslim Brotherhood's claim of victory for its candidate, Mohammed Morsi. | The campaign of Mubarak's former prime minister, Ahmed Shafiq, said that Shafiq has won Egypt's presidential election, countering the Muslim Brotherhood's claim of victory for its candidate, Mohammed Morsi. |
| The election commission is to announce the official final results on Thursday and no matter who it names as victor, his rival is likely to reject the result as a fraud. | The election commission is to announce the official final results on Thursday and no matter who it names as victor, his rival is likely to reject the result as a fraud. |
| • Premature accounts of Mubarak's death were widely reported on Tuesday night. The BBC's Newsnight programme announced his death (1 min 37 secs into the programme) in its opening roundup. | • Premature accounts of Mubarak's death were widely reported on Tuesday night. The BBC's Newsnight programme announced his death (1 min 37 secs into the programme) in its opening roundup. |
| • Tens of thousands of mainly Muslim Brotherhood supporters have filled Tahrir Square in Cairo to protest at the 11th-hour constitutional declaration giving the military sweeping powers. Islamist MPs left Tahrir square to march to parliament about 200 metres up the road, but were prohibited from entering the building, having to content themselves with chanting at the mouth of the road. Since the court decision security forces have locked down the road that houses parliament. | • Tens of thousands of mainly Muslim Brotherhood supporters have filled Tahrir Square in Cairo to protest at the 11th-hour constitutional declaration giving the military sweeping powers. Islamist MPs left Tahrir square to march to parliament about 200 metres up the road, but were prohibited from entering the building, having to content themselves with chanting at the mouth of the road. Since the court decision security forces have locked down the road that houses parliament. |
| • Are the generals going to let Morsi win? asks Michael Collins Dunn of the Middle East Institute. | • Are the generals going to let Morsi win? asks Michael Collins Dunn of the Middle East Institute. |
| I don't know, but does it matter? They'd be wise not to pull the (much devalued) prize away at this point,which could produce an open revolt by the Brotherhood; better to have an elected, but powerless, figurehead. They're going to need somebody to blame when people finally notice the economy is a disaster. And a co-opted Brotherhood could be helpful in many ways, as long as Morsi understands who is co-opting whom. | I don't know, but does it matter? They'd be wise not to pull the (much devalued) prize away at this point,which could produce an open revolt by the Brotherhood; better to have an elected, but powerless, figurehead. They're going to need somebody to blame when people finally notice the economy is a disaster. And a co-opted Brotherhood could be helpful in many ways, as long as Morsi understands who is co-opting whom. |
| • There is trouble ahead whatever happens, warns the Arabist. | • There is trouble ahead whatever happens, warns the Arabist. |
| You have a possible fight on the result of the presidential election, an almost certain fight on the fate of parliament and the constitutional declaration, and a longer-term fight on the drafting of the future constitution. If you're not worried already, start worrying now. | You have a possible fight on the result of the presidential election, an almost certain fight on the fate of parliament and the constitutional declaration, and a longer-term fight on the drafting of the future constitution. If you're not worried already, start worrying now. |
| Syria | Syria |
| • The head of the UN observer mission in Syria has told the security council that observers were repeatedly targeted by hostile crowds and gunfire before his decision to suspend operations, the BBC reports. Diplomats say Major General Robert Mood said his 300 unarmed monitors had had at least 10 direct fire incidents, and nine vehicles were struck in the last week. | • The head of the UN observer mission in Syria has told the security council that observers were repeatedly targeted by hostile crowds and gunfire before his decision to suspend operations, the BBC reports. Diplomats say Major General Robert Mood said his 300 unarmed monitors had had at least 10 direct fire incidents, and nine vehicles were struck in the last week. |
| • General Mood and Hervé Ladsous, the UN's head of peacekeeping, suggested to reporters that the monitoring operation would not resume until both sides honoured the peace plan. | • General Mood and Hervé Ladsous, the UN's head of peacekeeping, suggested to reporters that the monitoring operation would not resume until both sides honoured the peace plan. |
| Both Assad's forces and the rebels must stop the fighting, "if the mission is going to be meaningful," Mood said. | Both Assad's forces and the rebels must stop the fighting, "if the mission is going to be meaningful," Mood said. |
| • A ship carrying refurbished attack helicopters for the Assad regime, has been turned back after being denied marine cover by UK underwriters. William Hague, the foreign secretary, confirmed that the ship, thought to have sailed from Kaliningrad, in the Baltic, had now turned back to Murmansk in northern Russia. | • A ship carrying refurbished attack helicopters for the Assad regime, has been turned back after being denied marine cover by UK underwriters. William Hague, the foreign secretary, confirmed that the ship, thought to have sailed from Kaliningrad, in the Baltic, had now turned back to Murmansk in northern Russia. |
| • No country has the right to tell Syria who their leader should be, Russia's president Vladimir Putin said at the G20 summit underlining his opposition to US attempts to secure a deal to persuade Bashar al-Assad to stand down. RIA Novosti quoted him saying: "No one is entitled to decide for other nations who will be brought to power and who will be removed. A change of power, if it occurs – and it could only occur by constitutional means - should result in peace and stop the bloodshed." | • No country has the right to tell Syria who their leader should be, Russia's president Vladimir Putin said at the G20 summit underlining his opposition to US attempts to secure a deal to persuade Bashar al-Assad to stand down. RIA Novosti quoted him saying: "No one is entitled to decide for other nations who will be brought to power and who will be removed. A change of power, if it occurs – and it could only occur by constitutional means - should result in peace and stop the bloodshed." |
| • Syrian activists have announced a new coalition group inside further eroding the influence of the troubled exiled opposition, the Syrian National Council, the Telegraph reports. | • Syrian activists have announced a new coalition group inside further eroding the influence of the troubled exiled opposition, the Syrian National Council, the Telegraph reports. |
| The Joint Action Committee is designed to "unify the political work and the field work in Syria across all the revolutionary levels to ensure a smooth future transition," according to its founder Hussein Sayed. | The Joint Action Committee is designed to "unify the political work and the field work in Syria across all the revolutionary levels to ensure a smooth future transition," according to its founder Hussein Sayed. |
| Its executive is formed of three representatives from each of the four main opposition groups in Syria. These include the Syrian Revolution General Commission (SRGC), the largest grassroots coalition that, according to a study by O'Bagy, controls 70% of the regional Revolutionary Councils across the country as well as the majority of the Local Coordination Committee. | Its executive is formed of three representatives from each of the four main opposition groups in Syria. These include the Syrian Revolution General Commission (SRGC), the largest grassroots coalition that, according to a study by O'Bagy, controls 70% of the regional Revolutionary Councils across the country as well as the majority of the Local Coordination Committee. |