The power vacuum in Egypt has led to some intense religious clashes, as Coptic Christians face violence. If there is good news, it is that some effort is under way to hold those responsible accountable. The London Telegraph has more:
The prime minister, Essam Sharaf, called an emergency cabinet meeting after postponing a tour of Gulf oil states intended to win Egypt desperately needed financial support, three months after the uprising.
Following the meeting Abdel Aziz al-Gindi, the justice minister, said: "We will strike with an iron hand all those who seek to tamper with the nation's security." He promised to protect places of worship from attack.
The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, which has ruled the country since Mr Mubarak's enforced resignation on February 11, announced the arrest of 190 people yesterday and said they would be tried before military tribunals.
The escalating tension in Egypt is one reason the country was recently named to the US Religious Freedom Commission's Countries of Particular Concern. True religious freedom is not guaranteed by laws and policy, but also by a reality that protects citizens from religious persecution, and punishes perpetrators of religious violence.
