Friday, January 28/2011

Egypt in chaos, with major street demonstrations. We watch as Lyse Doucet, looking as if she hasn't slept since Tunisia, interviews an Egyptian BBC correspondent whose shirt is soaked with blood after being attacked by plain clothed police who were not at all interested in his press credentials. The streets are as full as ever. Someone reports having seen a sign saying "Mubarek, Saudi Arabia Awaits You." Mubarek may well prove a tougher nut than Bel Ali, though, if only because he's enjoyed considerably more US backing, though official US commentary is now wavering, perhaps because America is reluctant to emerge on the wrong side of history - or of future leadership. There have been close to a thousand injuries but, interestingly, the army seems reluctant to oppose the people.