Revolts in Tunisia and Egypt deal major blows to al-Qaida

William Maclean reports from London on a people’s uprising that spells bad news for terror group

REVOLTS in Egypt and Tunisia have struck a blow against al-Qaida’s call to violence as a means of overthrowing autocratic governments, showing “people power” to be a more effective weapon.

The adaptable militant group, with strong roots in Egypt, will work hard to exploit any sense of disappointment if the eventual outcome of the uprising there does not deliver better lives for the Arab world’s most populous country, analysts say.