Anti-government demonstrations continued in Egypt Saturday, as protesters, many of whom have given interviews and Tweeted, know they’ll be marked by the security apparatus if they fail. A gas pipeline exploded in north Sinai, sending a massive tower of flame into the sky. State TV blamed saboteurs. President Hosni Mubarak tried to play it cool, holding a meeting on how to revive the economy after almost two weeks of marches for his ouster. Meanwhile, everyone waits to see what the army will do. If the army asks Mubarak to leave, it could open leadership up to civilians, but the army would risk losing the grip on power it’s held since 1952. On the other hand, if they forcibly remove protesters from Tahrir Square, they’ll be as hated as the police. Everyone involved recognizes the military’s importance: The Obama administration is negotiating with officials about a military-backed interim government bridging the gap between Mubarak and elections; Mubarak appointed military leaders as his vice president and prime minister; and Mohamed ElBaradei said a presidential council including military brass should be formed. The protesters are clearly trying to woo the military too. "The people and the army are one hand!" they chanted as Defense Minister Hussein Tantawi appeared in the square Friday.
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