The protesters are in control of the central square in Suez says al-Jazeera.

[justiceischeap]

Source: Guardian UK

2.19pm: The protesters are in control of the central square in Suez says al-Jazeera. There is no police presence. Jamal Elshayyal, their reporter in Suez, says:

The police has been quite comprehensively defeated by the power of the people.

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/blog/2011/jan/28/egypt-protests-live-updates#block-57

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From what I understand oil is the commerce of that city...

[sabbat hunter]

1. I wonder

If this is a ploy by Mubarak to let the protesters wear themselves out, and hope they disperse when the prayer call comes. Or perhaps giving the army time to gather and move in. (a la Tienanmen square)

[justiceischeap]

2. Christians were protecting Muslims during the noon prayer

But I think you have a valid point about the Army. Coupled with reports that journalists are being detained at the airport in Cairo and others being arrested, I suspect some sort of overwhelming human tragedy (massacre) to take place soon.

[sabbat hunter]

3. I was more thinking of

the sabbath prayer call. As I would think even more would go to that.

[molly77]

4. The people are winning.

[sabbat hunter]

7. it appears that

the army dispersed the crowd from the square where they were gathering.

[tigereye]

6. they were just explaining that the people respect the army

more than the dreaded levels of security forces, who tend to be seen as "thugs."

[tigereye]

5. fascinating feeds from Al Jazeera

scary and ground-breaking. The upheavals and protests in the Middle East really indicate a major shift, it will be interesting to see what happens. So intense to see the Al Jazeera opinions vs. CNN.