Clashes Break Out Again In Egypt’s Mansoura Over New Governor

Clashes reignited on Wednesday in the Nile Delta city of Mansoura, capital of the Daqahliya governorate, between opponents and proponents of Daqahliya’s newly-appointed governor, Sobhi Attiya Younis.

According to Al-Ahram’s Arabic-language news website, people from both sides were injured, including two Muslim Brotherhood members.

Violence broke out again after several hours of calm, following earlier clashes between Brotherhood members and protesters opposed to Younis’ appointment. The latter reportedly surrounded the governor’s office in an attempt to stop Younis from leaving the building.

Younis, a 52-year-old Muslim Brotherhood member, previously served as the group’s spokesman in the Nile Delta governorate. He was appointed on Sunday by presidential decree along with 16 other new governors.

President Mohamed Morsi, who also hails from the Brotherhood, is often accused of trying to ‘Brotherhoodise’ Egyptian state institutions.

Seven of the new governors are Brotherhood members, while six others hail from a military or police background. The final three appointees do not appear to be politically affiliated.

The most controversial appointment is the new governor of Luxor, Adel Asaad El-Khayat, a 52-year-old member of Egypt’s Al-Gamaa Al-Islamiya.

El-Khayat’s appointment stirred controversy due to the Islamist group’s role in the murder of at least 58 tourists and four Egyptians in the infamous 1997 Luxor massacre.

Al-Gamaa Al-Islamiya has supported Morsi since his inauguration as president on 30 June of last year.

Sourec : Ahram