By Robert Fisk

Two days after millions of Egyptians won their revolution against the regime of Hosni Mubarak, the country’s army – led by Mubarak’s lifelong friend, General Mohamed el-Tantawi – further consolidated its power over Egypt yesterday, dissolving parliament and suspending the constitution. As they did so, the prime minister appointed by Mubarak, ex-General Ahmed Shafiq, told Egyptians that his first priorities were “peace and security” to prevent “chaos and disorder” – the very slogan uttered so often by the despised ex-president. Plus ça change?

In their desperation to honour the ‘military council’s’ promise ofCairo-back-to-normal, hundreds of Egyptian troops – many unarmed – appearedin Tahrir Square to urge the remaining protesters to leave the encampmentthey had occupied for 20 days. At first the crowd greeted them as friends,offering them food and water. Military policemen in red berets, againwithout weapons, emerged to control traffic. But then a young officer beganlashing demonstrators with a cane – old habits die hard in young men wearinguniforms – and for a moment there was a miniature replay of the fury visitedupon the state security police here on 28 January.

It reflected a growing concern among those who overthrew Mubarak that thefruits of their victory may be gobbled up by an army largely composed ofgenerals who achieved their power and privilege under Mubarak himself.No-one objects to the dissolution of parliament since Mubarak’s assemblyelections last year – and all other years — were so transparentlyfraudulent. But the ‘military council’ gave no indication of the date forthe free and fair elections which Egyptians believed they had been promised. …

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