Egypt - 2

With the dramatic, peaceful overthrow of their repressive government, the people of Egypt now face the daunting task of creating a government. Because the massive demonstrations were broad based and lacked any obvious power center or organized leadership, there is fear that one group or another will take advantage of the situation and grasp power.

So far, all the signs are good. Two important developments announced today:

1. The Armed Forces Supreme Council, the military group now in charge of running the country, has issued a statement committing to the eventual transfer of power to an elected civilian government and committing to honor Egypt's existing international treaties and agreements, including the one with Israel.

2. According to a report by the (UK) Guardian, the Muslim Brotherhood has no intention of grasping for power. The group has announced that it will not compete in any presidential elections or seek to gain a majority in parliament.

"The Muslim Brotherhood ... are not seeking personal gains, so they announce they will not run for the presidency and will not seek to get a majority in the parliament and that they consider themselves servants of these decent people. We support and value the sound direction that the Higher Military Council is taking on the way to transfer power peacefully to create a civilian government in line with the will of the people."

Two other significant happenings today:

1. Egypt's state and pro-government media have switched their message from pro-Mubarak to now celebrating his ouster.

2. The protesters, even without obvious central leadership, are acting like an organized group with a very positive ethic. Some group has met and made the decision that the daily demonstrations in Tahrir Square will not continue, but that they will have large crowds there every Friday to keep the spirit alive and to keep pressure on the progress of the transition. They are also calling for a voice in the planning for transfer to democracy. And they are having a day of clean-up of Tahrir Square, to repair the damage from the 18 days of demonstrations.

This continues to be an amazing story, one of the great historic successes in regime change from a dictatorship in a Muslim country to a secular democracy with civilian elected leaders. There will be big problems to solve and risks of interference, but another day has passed with only good news.

I would like to make an early nomination for Time's Person of the Year for 2011: The Egyptian People.

Ralph