EGYPT: Military personnel, patrolling the streets in Suez, have requested powers to arrest law-breakers as tension remains after violence clashes over the weekend

Record ID: 862438

  • Title: EGYPT: Military personnel, patrolling the streets in Suez, have requested powers to arrest law-breakers as tension remains after violence clashes over the weekend
  • Date: 27th January 2013
  • Summary: SUEZ, EGYPT (JANUARY 27, 2013) (REUTERS) **PLEASE NOTE: PICTURE QUALITY AS INCOMING** SIGN IN STREET READING IN ARABIC: "POLICE STATION" WITH ARROW POINTING LEFT MILITARY TANKS IN STREETS OF SUEZ (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) COMMANDER OF THE THIRD ARMY, GENERAL OSAMA, SAYING: "We will deploy 25 patrol teams in addition to those already here in Suez. They will be responsible for traffic flow and the security of the side streets and alleyways, and this has all been driven for the stability of the security situation and its implementation in Suez." SOLDIERS (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) COMMANDER OF THE THIRD ARMY, GENERAL OSAMA, SAYING: "We must have permission to arrest civilians who break the law from their homes. But we do not wish for the situation to get out of hand because the interior ministry are more equipped for this and if we were to exercise it, there will be a large number of losses and this is not needed." ARMY (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) COMMANDER OF THE THIRD ARMY, GENERAL OSAMA, SAYING: "Today, we have requested the right to arrest civilians who break the law." EXTERIOR OF POLICE STATION IN SUEZ ARMY TANK IN STREET
  • Embargoed: 11th February 2013 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Egypt
  • City:
  • Country: Egypt
  • Topics: Crime / Law Enforcement,Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA9ZRZHUYGL56XLK4395OYU6W3N
  • Aspect Ratio:
  • Story Text: Military personnel, stationed on the streets the Egyptian city of Suez, have requested the right to arrest civilian law-breakers as tension remains following the weekend of violent clashes throughout the country Eight people were killed in Suez on Friday (January 25), a small part of a huge number of deaths as opposition groups, demonstrating against the rule of President Mohamed Mursi, clashed with security forces.
    In Suez, army tanks and soldiers were an obvious presence on the streets.
    Army commander, General Osama, explained their role to reporters on Sunday (January 27).

    "We will deploy 25 patrol teams in addition to those already here in Suez," he said.

    "They will be responsible for traffic flow and the security of the side streets and alleyways, and this has all been driven for the stability of the security situation and its implementation in Suez."
    But General Osama said it was important they were given wider powers to ensure order remained and such a request had been made.

    "We must have permission to arrest civilians who break the law from their homes. But we do not wish for the situation to get out of hand because the interior ministry are more equipped for this and if we were to exercise it, there will be a large number of losses and this is not needed."
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2013. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
Register