Egypt's army rulers, protesters and future political leaders were locked in a fierce power struggle Sunday that set the country on edge ahead of the first elections since its revolution. Egyptians go to the polls Monday to cast their first votes for a new parliament after the end of the 30-year rule of strongman Hosni Mubarak. The run-up to voting in the cultural heart of the Arab World and region's most populous country has been marred by violence and fears of chaos as the army, protesters and new political figures jostle for influence. Military ruler Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi, warned of “extremely grave” consequences if the turbulent nation does not pull through its current crisis. “We will not allow troublemakers to meddle in the elections,” he said. “Egypt is at a crossroads — either we succeed politically, economically and socially or the consequences will be extremely grave and we will not allow that,” he said. Tantawi's warning came as thousands of protesters were filling Cairo's Tahrir Square for another massive demonstration to push for him and other generals on the ruling military council he heads to immediately step down in favor of a civilian presidential council and a “national salvation” government to run the country's affairs until a president is elected. “Down with the military!” shouted a group of young men gathered on the edge of the square. Feeding the anger of those assembled in Tahrir, many of whom carried visible injuries from last week's unrest, a 19-year-old demonstrator was crushed to death Saturday by a police truck outside the Cabinet office. The demonstrators fear that the military rulers are looking to consolidate their influence and too quick to resort to Mukarak-era tactics of violence and repression when faced with opposition. “They don't want to give back power,” said 18-year-old student Raghda. Outside the square, the political leaders expected to shape the democratic future of the country of over 80 million people are locked in a fight for power with the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces. In an effort to resolve the crisis, Tantawi called a meeting with all political party leaders and future presidential candidates, but it was boycotted by several top figures.
