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Demonstration in Egypt leads to government sack
Source: Xinhua |
January 29, 2011, Saturday
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EGYPTIAN President Hosni Mubarak announced early today that he has ordered the government to resign, vowing that the new cabinet will bring more democracy to the country, in response to the current massive anti-government protests in Egypt.
"I have asked the government to step down," Mubarak said in his speech that was broadcasted on TV.
Tens of thousands of outraged people, inspired by the Tunisian "Jasmine Revolution," took to streets in Egypt in the past four days, asking the president and government to step down.
Ever since the fall of the Tunisian regime, the Arab world has suffered a severe unrest. Egypt saw the largest demonstration since Mubarak took office in 1981.
The demonstration, started peacefully on Tuesday afternoon, turned into violence in the following days. The opposition groups called for a massive protest after the Friday prayers, calling it "Friday of Anger."
The Internet service and Mobile phone communication were cut off in Cairo yesterday, however, the protesters have not been prevented from massive gatherings.
Thousands of protesters ram rampantly onto the streets and marched towards Tahrir Square in downtown Cairo, while the security forces blocked the roads, used tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannon to disperse the protesters.
"My three sons and I are protesting against the 30-year regime that have been deteriorating over the years," said Ahmed Hamed, a driver who was coughing and crying from tear gas that was fired in response to rocks from protesters.
Yesterday evening, the state television reported the president' s decision to set a curfew in Cairo, Alexandria and Suez from 6 pm (1600 GMT) till 7 am (0500 GMT) today.
Violence in the protests went out of control, leading the army deployed in the three cities trying to maintain security along with the police forces and ensuring the implementation of a curfew.
The headquarters of the ruling National Democratic Party was set on fire by demonstrators.
At midnight, dozens of tanks entered Tahrir Square, where the Egyptian parliament and state television buildings are located.
Affected by the curfew, Egypt's national carrier EgyptAir said it suspended all departure flights from the Cairo airport for 12 hours from 9 p.m. (1900 GMT).
Thousands of protesters surrounded Egypt's National Museum in Tahrir Square to protect the Egyptian antiquities along with the army, according to Egypt's national television.
In response, US President Barack Obama said early today that he had told Egypt's leader to take "concrete steps" in order to expand rights inside the Arab nation and refrain from violence against protesters flooding the country.
"Surely, there will be difficult days to come, but the United States will continue to stand up for the rights of the Egyptian people and work with their government in pursuit of a future that is more just, more free and more hopeful," Obama said.
Earlier Friday, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton adopted a tough tone towards the events in Egypt. She called on the Egyptian military to exercise restraint, in order to bring the situation in the country back to control.
At the same time, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and German Chancellor Angela Merkel yesterday urged Egypt to safeguard the freedom of speech and association. The European Union also called for freeing protesters.
"I believe that one of the ground principles of democracy should be to protect the freedom of speech of the people," Ban Ki- moon said.
Meanwhile, opposition Wafd Party leader Sayyed El Badawi called for an interim government and a new constitution in a press conference made by Egypt's opposition bloc yesterday evening.
Egypt's Nobel prize laureate Mohamed ElBaradei arrived in Cairo on Thursday evening to join in the anti-government demonstration, however, he was soon placed under house arrest after the Friday prayers.
It is unclear whether the Egyptian protesters will return back to the streets or not, as many of their requirements have not been met yet. The Egyptian military has been expanded in downtown Cairo and started playing a major role in maintaining the security.
"I have asked the government to step down," Mubarak said in his speech that was broadcasted on TV.
Tens of thousands of outraged people, inspired by the Tunisian "Jasmine Revolution," took to streets in Egypt in the past four days, asking the president and government to step down.
Ever since the fall of the Tunisian regime, the Arab world has suffered a severe unrest. Egypt saw the largest demonstration since Mubarak took office in 1981.
The demonstration, started peacefully on Tuesday afternoon, turned into violence in the following days. The opposition groups called for a massive protest after the Friday prayers, calling it "Friday of Anger."
The Internet service and Mobile phone communication were cut off in Cairo yesterday, however, the protesters have not been prevented from massive gatherings.
Thousands of protesters ram rampantly onto the streets and marched towards Tahrir Square in downtown Cairo, while the security forces blocked the roads, used tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannon to disperse the protesters.
"My three sons and I are protesting against the 30-year regime that have been deteriorating over the years," said Ahmed Hamed, a driver who was coughing and crying from tear gas that was fired in response to rocks from protesters.
Yesterday evening, the state television reported the president' s decision to set a curfew in Cairo, Alexandria and Suez from 6 pm (1600 GMT) till 7 am (0500 GMT) today.
Violence in the protests went out of control, leading the army deployed in the three cities trying to maintain security along with the police forces and ensuring the implementation of a curfew.
The headquarters of the ruling National Democratic Party was set on fire by demonstrators.
At midnight, dozens of tanks entered Tahrir Square, where the Egyptian parliament and state television buildings are located.
Affected by the curfew, Egypt's national carrier EgyptAir said it suspended all departure flights from the Cairo airport for 12 hours from 9 p.m. (1900 GMT).
Thousands of protesters surrounded Egypt's National Museum in Tahrir Square to protect the Egyptian antiquities along with the army, according to Egypt's national television.
In response, US President Barack Obama said early today that he had told Egypt's leader to take "concrete steps" in order to expand rights inside the Arab nation and refrain from violence against protesters flooding the country.
"Surely, there will be difficult days to come, but the United States will continue to stand up for the rights of the Egyptian people and work with their government in pursuit of a future that is more just, more free and more hopeful," Obama said.
Earlier Friday, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton adopted a tough tone towards the events in Egypt. She called on the Egyptian military to exercise restraint, in order to bring the situation in the country back to control.
At the same time, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and German Chancellor Angela Merkel yesterday urged Egypt to safeguard the freedom of speech and association. The European Union also called for freeing protesters.
"I believe that one of the ground principles of democracy should be to protect the freedom of speech of the people," Ban Ki- moon said.
Meanwhile, opposition Wafd Party leader Sayyed El Badawi called for an interim government and a new constitution in a press conference made by Egypt's opposition bloc yesterday evening.
Egypt's Nobel prize laureate Mohamed ElBaradei arrived in Cairo on Thursday evening to join in the anti-government demonstration, however, he was soon placed under house arrest after the Friday prayers.
It is unclear whether the Egyptian protesters will return back to the streets or not, as many of their requirements have not been met yet. The Egyptian military has been expanded in downtown Cairo and started playing a major role in maintaining the security.
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