CAIRO - The people seem divided over the ongoing clashes in Tahrir Square. Some attribute them to the haste of the revolutionaries who didn't stop their weekly demonstrations pressurising the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) into fulfilling their demands. Others see the clashes as a necessary step for changing the political direction chosen by the SCAF against the will and wish of the revolution. That is why some analysts believe that the ongoing Tahrir protests won't gain public support with the same speed as earlier this year. In January, the majority of Egyptians were angry about Hosni Mubarak's regime that corrupted the political, economic and social life in the country. Thus, the people responded quickly to the call of the youth, particularly after the security agency brutally reacted to the peaceful demonstrations and brought death and injury to thousands of revolutionaries. Today, many citizens keep on seeing the SCAF as the representative of an army that was on the side of the revolution and refused to use violence against demonstrators. Since then, ordinary citizens consider the SCAF as their spiritual hero and saviour. It was, therefore, no surprise when some voices suggested that SCAF Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi should become president. They forgot that Tantawi and the other members of the Council promised to hand the rule over to a civil authority and that the revolution aimed at bringing an end to a military rule that had already lasted for more than half a century. This could be the reason why the SCAF continued its silence and slow response to the growing protests in Tahrir. However, the violence used when confronting the protesters could antagonise the populace and trigger public anger. It is true that different political factions, although criticising the SCAF, haven't yet demanded an immediate end to the military authority. But the continually used violence against the demonstrators and the slow response to public demands might lead to prolong the ongoing stand-off.
