"I only hope that the authorities would prove their mettle in tracking down the real culprits behind the grisly attacks that shocked Egypt in recent days. Only the wise would help put out the flames of a civil war, nip it in the bud and single out the moderates from the extremists as Islamism has increasingly become associated with terrorism. Levelling terror charges haphazardly is in effect a recipe for disaster as it would eventually make the civil war in the ill minds of some Egyptians reality. Egypt will be the biggest loser and pay the price dearly. And here's a stark warning: If the Egyptians do not heed the sound of reason, the country will inevitably turn into another Iraq." By Egyptian writer Fahmi Hewidi, Al-Shorouk daily, December 26.
