Egyptian PM quits, military rulers say
Source: Agencies |
March 4, 2011, Friday
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Print Edition
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THE prime minister appointed by ousted President Hosni Mubarak has resigned, Egypt's military rulers said yesterday, meeting a key demand of the opposition protest movement.
In a failed attempt to quiet the anti-government protests, Mubarak named former air force officer Ahmed Shafiq to be prime minister shortly after the unrest began on January 25. Mubarak stepped down on February 11 and the military took control of the country, but Shafiq remained in office at the head of a caretaker government.
A statement on the military's official website said it had chosen former Transport Minister Essam Sharaf as the new prime minister and asked him to form a new caretaker Cabinet to run the government throughout a transition back to civilian rule.
Sharaf served in the Cabinet between 2004 and 2006. He quit amid an uproar over a series of deadly train accidents blamed on government negligence. "First, we ousted Mubarak. Secondly, we got rid of Shafiq. We have become again the owners of this country," said Bassem Kamel, a member of the coalition involved in the uprising. "We are still awaiting for the other demands to be met."
The prompt acceptance by the military of Shafiq's resignation shows the sensitivity of the ruling generals to the demands of the uprising's leaders, but many in Egypt now believe the military should put its foot down and focus on restoring law and order in this country.
Egypt has been gripped by a crime wave not seen in years, with a marked rise in armed robberies, arson and street battles. Demoralized and hated by many for their perceived brutality against protesters, security forces have yet to fully take back the streets.
In a failed attempt to quiet the anti-government protests, Mubarak named former air force officer Ahmed Shafiq to be prime minister shortly after the unrest began on January 25. Mubarak stepped down on February 11 and the military took control of the country, but Shafiq remained in office at the head of a caretaker government.
A statement on the military's official website said it had chosen former Transport Minister Essam Sharaf as the new prime minister and asked him to form a new caretaker Cabinet to run the government throughout a transition back to civilian rule.
Sharaf served in the Cabinet between 2004 and 2006. He quit amid an uproar over a series of deadly train accidents blamed on government negligence. "First, we ousted Mubarak. Secondly, we got rid of Shafiq. We have become again the owners of this country," said Bassem Kamel, a member of the coalition involved in the uprising. "We are still awaiting for the other demands to be met."
The prompt acceptance by the military of Shafiq's resignation shows the sensitivity of the ruling generals to the demands of the uprising's leaders, but many in Egypt now believe the military should put its foot down and focus on restoring law and order in this country.
Egypt has been gripped by a crime wave not seen in years, with a marked rise in armed robberies, arson and street battles. Demoralized and hated by many for their perceived brutality against protesters, security forces have yet to fully take back the streets.
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