Demonstraties in Egypte #38 1feb 'Million man march'

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Op maandag 31 januari 2011 12:19 schreef Carine-C het volgende:

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business as usual.

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Egypt protesters call for million-man march
By Meredith Griffiths and staff

Updated 1 hour 34 minutes ago


Demonstrators say the military must choose between the people and the president. (AFP: Marco Longari)

Video: Ben Knight in Cairo (7.30 Report) Video: Unrest in Egypt (7.30 Report) Audio: Egypt protests enter seventh day (pm) Audio: Tension on streets of Cairo (pm) Audio: Australians trapped in Egypt (pm) Audio: Egypt uprising causes ructions across region (pm) Related Story: Plane sent for Aussies stranded in Egypt Related Story: Aussies in Egypt left stranded and terrified Related Story: Regime throws information blackout over Egypt There is an increased police presence on the streets of Egypt as demonstrators call for a "million-man march" to mark one week since the anti-government protests began.

Protesters continue to defy curfews and express their anger at president Hosni Mubarak, with at least 125 people killed in the violence so far.

As the chaos continues to unfold, the Federal Government has announced it will send a Qantas plane to evacuate Australians stranded in Egypt on Wednesday.

Local police had all but vanished from duty last week after clashes with thousands of demonstrators who effectively overpowered them.

Army tanks and soldiers have remained in position across Cairo and other major cities but they have done nothing to enforce the nightly curfew or shut the protests down, raising questions as to which side the military is on.

Demonstrators say the military must choose between the people and the president.

To maintain their momentum, protesters have called on all Egyptians to join a national strike today and a political march tomorrow to force the president from power.

The protesters say they will not stop until Mr Mubarak goes, but security is becoming more of an issue as the chaos continues.

Thousands of prisoners are reported to have staged mass jailbreaks over the weekend, which have left many Egyptians anxious.

"Right now nobody wants the president. Right now the government that serves him is not on the streets, we are out on the streets protecting ourselves," one Cairo resident said.

"The people who've escaped from jail will go after anyone who has money in their pocket. You have no idea what they'll do."

People are nervous to leave their homes and there have been gun battles between looters and vigilantes.

There is also unrest in the coastal city of Alexandria, where Amr Ramadan runs a computer software business.

"The great thing [is] the young people have taken security to be a part of their daily routine now," he said.

"In our block, for example, in the range of 200 or 300 metres, there is right now more than a 100 young people inspecting any car that comes, making sure the security of the neighbourhood is all right and this is the case in all neighbourhoods in Alexandria."

Cold night in Cairo

Overnight, around 1,000 die-hard activists defied a curfew to spend a cold night in the central Tahrir Square.

Sana Soueif is one who maintained the vigil. She says the demonstrations will not stop until Mr Mubarak steps down.

"Some of us are running around just to stay warm, but it is quite relaxed," she said.

"We're planning to continue. We know in the morning there'll be more people definitely. We're not going to leave unless Mubarak leaves."

Earlier, Egyptian state TV read out a letter Mr Mubarak has sent to his newly appointed prime minister.

It ordered the new cabinet to tackle corruption and deploy economic policies that give the highest concern to people's suffering and create new jobs.

The secretary of the governing National Democratic Party, Maged el Sherbini, says the government needs to be allowed to do its job.

"I believe we should give the new government, which will be sworn into office, a chance in order to see what will be fulfilled out of the promise to which president Mubarak attached great importance," he said.

"We need calm so work can resume. We need calm so Egypt can return to what it used to be."

Dialogue

The president's letter also spoke of the need for political reform and dialogue with other political parties.

That may involve the UN's former chief nuclear weapons inspector, Mohamed ElBaradei, who addressed the protesters in Tahrir Square.

"We have only one demand: that the regime in Egypt should go and after that a new beginning will start for Egypt and everybody in Egypt should live in freedom," he said.

But some demonstrators insist Mr ElBaradei is not their leader.

He has the endorsement of a group of opposition parties to form a national unity government and make contact with the military.

Egypt's largest opposition group, the Muslim Brotherhood, is happy to work with Mr ElBaradei.

"We are now discussing the matter with our colleagues in political sections and with the people themselves to join a committee," said Dr Essam el Erian, the leading figure in the Brotherhood.

"We have no objection about Mr Baradei to be in the committee, but such a committee must take the decision about who will negotiate personal or together with the authorities and mainly with the army."

The Muslim Brotherhood is officially banned in Egypt but is tolerated and Mr el Erian says it must play a role in the country's political future.

"Not only the United States, all the international community must respect the choice of the Egyptian people. It is too late now to interfere in the domestic affairs or to change the choice of Egyptians," he said.

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Op maandag 31 januari 2011 12:29 schreef remlof het volgende:
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More footage of Egyptian police brutality. This van is driving backwards at great speeds

bron: http://yfrog.com/h78veubj

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# To our friends around the world: The Events in Egypt
# 30 Jan 2011
#

The world has witnessed an unprecedented popular action in the streets of Egypt. Led by Egypts youth, with their justified demands for more freedom, more democracy, lower prices for necessities and more employment opportunities. These youths demanded immediate and far-reaching changes. This was met by violent conflicts with the police, who were routed. The army was called in and was welcomed by the demonstrators, but initially their presence was more symbolic than active. Events deteriorated as lawless bands of thugs, and maybe agents provocateurs, appeared and looting began. The young people organized themselves into groups that directed traffic, protected neighborhoods and guarded public buildings of value such as the Egyptian Museum and the Library of Alexandria. They are collaborating with the army. This makeshift arrangement is in place until full public order returns.

The library is safe thanks to Egypts youth, whether they be the staff of the Library or the representatives of the demonstrators, who are joining us in guarding the building from potential vandals and looters. I am there daily within the bounds of the curfew hours. However, the Library will be closed to the public for the next few days until the curfew is lifted and events unfold towards an end to the lawlessness and a move towards the resolution of the political issues that triggered the demonstrations.
Ismail Serageldin
Librarian of Alexandria
Director of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina

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Op maandag 31 januari 2011 12:32 schreef schommelstoel het volgende:

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Je zou ook moeten weten dat Nederlandse media ook korte en slechte berichtgeving doet van deze gebeurtenis.

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Jan25voices Jan25 Voices
Arabeya: Former Trade Minister Rasheed declines to be part of the new government and declines post, so did Boutros-Ghali (Finance Minster)
2 minutes ago

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Op maandag 31 januari 2011 12:49 schreef RvLaak het volgende:
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Op maandag 31 januari 2011 12:49 schreef RvLaak het volgende:
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Die P kan ik niet plaatsen, de rest wel... Waar is die van?

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Op maandag 31 januari 2011 12:49 schreef RvLaak het volgende:
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Die P kan ik niet plaatsen, de rest wel... Waar is die van?

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Op maandag 31 januari 2011 12:56 schreef Papierversnipperaar het volgende:
Hoe gaat het met de middag-klok?

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Op maandag 31 januari 2011 12:58 schreef superworm het volgende:
Faces of China, lijkt me een interessant programma.