New Law in Egypt Effectively Bans Street Protests

New Law in Egypt Effectively Bans Street Protests
Egypt’s military-backed government has issued a law that all but bans street protests by applying jail time or heavy fines to the public demonstrations that have felled the last two presidents and regularly roiled the capital since the Arab Spring revolt. The new law…is the latest evidence of a return to authoritarianism in the aftermath of the military takeover that removed President Mohamed Morsi of the Muslim Brotherhood in July.  

Egypt referendum on constitution ‘set for January’
A referendum on Egypt’s amended constitution is likely to take place in January, the interim PM has said. Hazem Beblawi said the referendum would take place in the “second half of January” – later than expected. It is a key first step in the political transition after Islamist President Mohammed Morsi was ousted in July. 

Egypt declares Turkish envoy unwelcome — Turkey responds in kind
The Turkish and Egyptian governments engaged in a round of tit-for-tat diplomacy Saturday, with Egypt first expelling Ankara’s ambassador and Turkey reciprocating. Cairo blamed its decision to declare Turkish Ambassador Huseyin Avni Botsali “persona non grata” — or unwelcome — on Ankara’s interference in its domestic affairs, Turkey’s Anadolu Agency news outlet said.  

Egypt expels Turkish ambassador
Egypt has told the Turkish ambassador to leave the country and downgraded relations between the two countries. It follows remarks by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan that Cairo deemed “provocative”. Egypt’s foreign ministry said relations with Ankara would be lowered to charge d’affaires, blaming Turkey’s continued “interference” in its internal affairs.