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(Image source: Wikimedia Commons / Remy Steinegger)
BY JOHN O'CONNOR
Egypt's interim Vice President Mohamed ElBaradei has resigned after Egyptian security forces
raided two pro-Morsi protest camps.
ElBaradei says he is stepping down in protest of the military's violent crackdown on supporters
of the deposed president Wednesday, which resulted in the deaths of nearly 150 people,
including two journalists. That number may rise as state-run news agency MENA reports
at least 1,400 people were also wounded in the violence. (Via Euronews, YouTube / Sharif
Kouddous)
In his resignation letter to interim President Adly Mansour, ElBaradei explains: "It has
become difficult for me to continue bearing responsibility for decisions that I do not
agree with and whose consequences I fear. I cannot bear the responsibility for one drop
of blood." (Via Wikimedia Commons / Remy Steinegger)
NPR's Steve Inskeep points out, "If it were a civilian led government, a civilian leader
like ElBaradei could hold soldiers accountable instead [of] resigning." (Via Twitter / @NPRinskeep)
But the military's violent crackdown on pro-Morsi supporters isn't the only thing that has Egyptians
fearing a return to the type of authoritarian rule that existed before the country's revolution.
On Tuesday, Mansour fired all Muslim Brotherhood regional governors appointed by former President
Mohamed Morsi and installed 25 new ones. (Via Al Jazeera)
"Most of them are ex-military or pro-military, so people were shouting yesterday saying it's
a police government ... it's a police state again coming back, what are you doing?" (Via
BBC)
The army has also announced a month-long state of emergency — meaning the police have unlimited
power to arrest and detain citizens. A curfew has also been imposed in major cities. (Via
RT)
The U.S. has condemned the violence and actions taken by Egypt's interim government. It is
unclear if ElBaradei will remain in the country following his resignation.