Egypt rulers demand end to strikes
Source: Agencies |
February 15, 2011, Tuesday
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MILITARY rulers in Egypt called for an end to strikes and protests yesterday as thousands of state employees, from ambulance drivers to police and transport workers, demonstrated to demand better pay in a growing wave of labor unrest unleashed by the democracy uprising that ousted Hosni Mubarak's regime.
The statement by the ruling military council that took power from Mubarak appeared to be a final warning to protest organizers in labor and professional unions before the army intervenes and imposes an outright ban on gatherings, strikes and sit-ins.
Soldiers cleared out almost all the remaining protesters from Cairo's Tahrir Square, the giant traffic circle that was turned into a protest camp headquarters for 18-day revolt. During more than two weeks of round-the-clock demonstrations at the square, protesters set up tents, brought in blankets, operated -medical clinics and festooned the entire plaza with giant banners -demanding the removal of the regime. At the height of the uprising, hundreds of thousands packed the downtown intersection.
Several huge trucks, piled high with blankets that protesters used, left the square today. All the tents were gone, as were other signs of permanent camps. By early afternoon yesterday, a few dozen determined protesters remained, yelling for the release of political prisoners.
The remaining protesters say they won't leave before all those detained during the revolt are released.
Egypt's ambassador to the United States said Mubarak may be in "bad health," the first word on the state of the 82-year-old leader since he was ousted on Friday and the military took control of the country.
Speaking yesterday on NBC's "Today" program, Sameh Shoukry said he had received information that Mubarak was "possibly in somewhat of bad health." He said he could not be more specific, but two Cairo newspapers yesterday said Mubarak was refusing to take medication, depressed and repeatedly passing out at his residence in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh.
The latest communique by the ruling military council was read out on state television by a military spokesman. It said Egypt needed a quieter climate so the military can run the nation's affairs at this "critical stage" and eventually hand over the reins of power to an elected and civilian administration.
The statement warned that strikes and protests hurt the country's security and economy and gave a chance to what it called "irresponsible parties" to commit "illegal acts."
The statement by the ruling military council that took power from Mubarak appeared to be a final warning to protest organizers in labor and professional unions before the army intervenes and imposes an outright ban on gatherings, strikes and sit-ins.
Soldiers cleared out almost all the remaining protesters from Cairo's Tahrir Square, the giant traffic circle that was turned into a protest camp headquarters for 18-day revolt. During more than two weeks of round-the-clock demonstrations at the square, protesters set up tents, brought in blankets, operated -medical clinics and festooned the entire plaza with giant banners -demanding the removal of the regime. At the height of the uprising, hundreds of thousands packed the downtown intersection.
Several huge trucks, piled high with blankets that protesters used, left the square today. All the tents were gone, as were other signs of permanent camps. By early afternoon yesterday, a few dozen determined protesters remained, yelling for the release of political prisoners.
The remaining protesters say they won't leave before all those detained during the revolt are released.
Egypt's ambassador to the United States said Mubarak may be in "bad health," the first word on the state of the 82-year-old leader since he was ousted on Friday and the military took control of the country.
Speaking yesterday on NBC's "Today" program, Sameh Shoukry said he had received information that Mubarak was "possibly in somewhat of bad health." He said he could not be more specific, but two Cairo newspapers yesterday said Mubarak was refusing to take medication, depressed and repeatedly passing out at his residence in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh.
The latest communique by the ruling military council was read out on state television by a military spokesman. It said Egypt needed a quieter climate so the military can run the nation's affairs at this "critical stage" and eventually hand over the reins of power to an elected and civilian administration.
The statement warned that strikes and protests hurt the country's security and economy and gave a chance to what it called "irresponsible parties" to commit "illegal acts."
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