A report from the Egyptian press, linked on presidential candidate Ahmed Shafik’s Facebook page, suggests that the junta-approved former prime minister has won the race for president of Egypt. El Fagr (“The Dawn”), a Cairo-based weekly newspaper, reports that Mr. Shafik has edged out Muslim Brotherhood candidate Mohammed Morsi with 51% of the vote.
The El Fagr report claims that special troops are moving to secure important installations throughout the country, in anticipation of widespread unrest. The report also notes that Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi, head of the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, has approved pay increases for Egypt’s security forces, presumably to ensure their continued loyalty.
The Egyptian web site Aswat Masriya reports a “million man march” in support of Mr. Shafik. The official results are scheduled to be announced at 3 p.m. Cairo time, 9 a.m. Eastern. If reports of Mr. Shafik’s victory are true it appears that the military has either run out of patience with the game of political reform, or believes that revolutionary momentum has faded and it is possible to reassert total control.
