World Week Ahead: Egypt’s Growing Unrest; Key Guatemala Vote

Egyptian protesters burn an Israeli flag outside of the embassy in Cairo in August. Photo by Khaled Desouki/AFP/Getty Images.

Anger at interim military leaders and Israel is starting to boil over in Egypt, where many are frustrated about the pace of governmental change following the February ouster of President Hosni Mubarak. We’ll have on-the-ground reports throughout the week on the conditions there.

EGYPT | On Friday, an angry mob broke into the Israeli Embassy in Cairo, ripping down the Israeli flag and ransacking offices.

Israeli Ambassador Yitzhak Levanon and other senior staff were evacuated to Israel, but Israel’s consul for state affairs stayed behind to maintain the embassy.

When the NewsHour’s team went to film the building, an angry crowd swarmed their local producer and forced the team to leave the area. They escaped without injury.

The break-in demonstrated how pre-existing tensions between Egypt and Israel are boiling over and how Egypt’s security forces are stretched thin.

Margaret Warner will have more of the account on the broadcast and online, and will present more reports throughout the week on Egypt’s economic climate and political scene as it struggles to get a new government on its feet.

Meanwhile, Turkey’s Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is scheduled to meet with Egyptian military leaders this week, and their association is one that is closely watched by Israel. Israel and Turkey’s relations have become strained since last year when a Turkish aid flotilla bound for Gaza was raided by Israeli forces.

GUATEMALA | The presidential election in Guatemala, held over the weekend, now heads to a runoff in November after the leading candidate, retired Gen. Otto Perez Molina, failed to get the 50 percent of the vote needed to win outright.

Security is one of the main concerns of Guatemalans, and Molina has promised to crack down on criminal gangs. He is expected to face hotel owner and former congressman Manuel Baldizon in the Nov. 6 vote.

LIBYA | Meanwhile, in Libya, the interim government, known as the Transitional National Council, is making diplomatic strides, including China recognizing the body as Libya’s ruling authority, according to the Guardian.

But the Associated Press has reported divisions within the interim government’s ranks between those who once had ties with embattled leader Moammar Gadhafi and more conservative elements, such as the Muslim Brotherhood, who suffered under his regime.

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