“The military chose to rule in the Mubarak style,” said one senior Egyptian political figure, speaking anonymously so as not to harm his own interaction with the generals. “They are micro-managing. We say it is time for new parties, and they say we cannot have them because there is no committee to approve them.”…

Soldiers beat protesters and burned down the suddenly reconstituted tent camp in Tahrir Square last Friday, the backlash prompting the Supreme Council to issue an apology (Message No. 24). Soldiers were photographed destroying some walls in the vicinity of a Coptic monastery, again prompting a sheepish explanation about illegal structures (Message No. 13). Finally it has come under harsh criticism for using the military courts to try protesters — with some sentenced after 10 minutes, human rights groups said…

“What they are finding out is that this period of transition requires much more of them than perhaps they initially thought,” said one Western diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity…

One proposal, designed to prevent the military from becoming entrenched while extending the stability it provides, is to appoint a presidential committee of two civilians and a general who would run the country for six months to a year until all parties are ready for elections.