Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Police joined the demonstrations in Cairo

The Egyptians returned on Monday to Tahrir Square, Cairo, paralyzing traffic a few hours after the military police and soldiers dispersed the recent pro-democracy activists in the area, witnesses said. The Army seemed to have control of the square, the epicenter of the protests that overthrew President Hosni Mubarak.

But then, hundreds of police marched into the place without being harassed by the soldiers, saying they wanted to show solidarity with the revolution. The police protesters and bystanders around traffic disrupted, which had begun to return to normal over the weekend. The police joined a growing wave of protests and strikes in which the Egyptians seem to be taking advantage of a new freedom to vent their anger with the political system of their country.

"We are the people. We ask the Egyptian people that we do not exclude. We are not enemies," said Lt. Mohammed Mestekawy to Reuters, while unleashing clashes between officers and people accused them of wanting to "steal or co-opt the popular revolution" . "I do not believe them. Where were they when my brother was murdered by thugs?" Shouted Samah Hassan, who fought with a police officer while marching to the Interior Ministry.

The protest leaders say that the Egyptians will manifest again if their demands for radical change are not met. They have planned a huge "victory march" on Friday to celebrate the revolution and military might to remind people power. Egypt's generals, who played an important role in the revolt against Mubarak in not making an effort to suppress it, is imposing his control in the country after the ouster of President, while trying to revive the economy and return the country to normal life.

The Egyptians generally respect the army, 470 thousand members, which receives about 300 million billion U.S. dollars annually and was protected from criticism and other types of control in the Mubarak era. But some in the opposition are suspicious of their intentions. The 18 days of revolt against the regime of Mubarak's 30 years has triggered a series of protests by workers and even police.

In a sign of nervousness, the Egyptian stock market, closed since 27 January for the unrest, reported that remain closed until stability returns to the economy, according to an official. The interim military leaders declared a holiday weekend on Monday after an interruption of the banking sector, building on Tuesday is a national holiday commemorating the birth of the prophet Muhammad.

After suspending the constitution and dissolve Parliament on Sunday - measures which were accepted by both organizations as instruments in the hands of Mubarak - the council was planning to issue more orders to quell riots and restore the country to normal life, said a military source. The military said they were held free and fair elections under a revised constitution, but no dates have been beyond ensuring that they will be in charge "for a temporary period of six months or until the end of elections to the lower and upper chambers, and presidential elections.

" Political analysts began to wonder how long will the process of amending the constitution, a referendum on the issue and call an election. "The Egyptian regime is still there, controlled by the old generals," said political risk consultant, Stratfor, adding that "they have promised democracy, but it is clear that his intention is genuine.

If it is not known how the implemented, at least in the coming months. " Since the "Revolution of the Nile" reverberated throughout the Middle East, Algeria announced Monday that in the coming days lift a state of emergency in force since 19 years ago, easing fears that the recent protests escalate as Tunisia and Egypt .

The Egyptian army also said it would kill the measure, implemented after the assassination of Mubarak's predecessor, Anwar Sadat, but did not specify a timetable. The Cabinet appointed by Mubarak last month will continue to govern, but will report to military commanders. Hundreds of workers protested on Monday outside a branch of Bank of Alexandria in central Cairo, and called for the resignation of their leaders, shouting "Go away" in an imitation of the anti-Mubarak slogans.

At least 500 people demonstrated outside the headquarters of state television and demanded better wages. Protests and strikes have occurred in public institutions throughout Egypt, including the stock market, metallurgical and textile companies, media organizations, the postal service, railways, and the ministries of Culture and Health.

Workers alluded to a series of demands. What unites them is a new feeling of being able to speak out in the post-Mubarak era. However, the armed forces are ready to return to Egypt to restore normal life and an economy severely damaged by the revolt, beginning with the return of tourists and foreign investment.

The military source said the authorities hoped to soon issue an order that would prohibit the meetings of trade unions or professional associations, and of course the strike, and ask all the Egyptians to return to work. There will also be a warning against those who believe "chaos and disorder," the source said, adding that nevertheless armed forces recognize the right to protest.

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