Russian expert: Tensions in Egypt unlikely to escalate into civil war

Tensions in Egypt are unlikely to escalate into a large-scale civil war, senior researcher at the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Boris Dolgov, told Itar-Tass on Tuesday. “I do not think that events will develop on this scenario, as the majority of the Egyptians demanded the resignation of Mohamed Morsi and Muslim Brotherhood,” he said. “Those forces that now demand his return are a minority.” Dolgov said the toughest clashes between armed forces and Islamists have been reported on the Sinai Peninsula. However, he expressed confidence that “the army and law enforcers will have enough strength to suppress rallies.” “In my opinion, the situation will develop in such a way when radical extremist groups of Islamists will be suppressed and the road towards political consensus will be found,” the expert said. At the same time he disregarded the possibility that Morsi and the Muslim Brotherhood movement will return to power. “It is tantamount to death for the armed forces’ leadership,” Dolgov said. After the wave of mass protests that hit Egypt’s big cities military officials announced on July 3 Mohamed Morsi was ousted and held in custody. Members of Muslim Brotherhood were also detained. Morsi’s supporters described these actions as a military coup and hold regular protests demanding his return to power.