Egypt – Egyptian government officially resigned, and the army invited citizens not to gather in groups and to respect the curfew, introduced due to several days long mass demonstrations against Egyptian President Hisni Mubarak. According to the last data of an unconfirmed source, death toll 74.
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Armed forced announced that against those who do not respect the curfew a “legal procedure” will be initiated, Egyptian national television reports.
Several thousand demonstrators gathered in central Cairo, demanding from President Hosni Mubarak to resign his position, and on the fifth day of demonstration death toll is 74. Obama asked Mubarak to refrain from violence.
Protest participants gathered on the Tahrir Square (Liberation Square) chanting “Go away, go away” and “Peaceful, peaceful,” in full view of troops, which are positioned around the city, in order to prevent a rebellion, Reuters reports.
In order to prevent theft, the army is guarding the Museum of Egypt in the very centre of the capital, in which a large number of antiquities are kept, including the content of the tomb of Tutankhamen and his golden burial mask.
During previous protests, some of the biggest clashes happened in squares and streets close to this museum, and according to certain reports, thefts from the government building were recorded.
AFR reported that 20 people died in clashes of protesters and the police on Friday, and around 1,000 persons were arrested since the protests started.
In addition to that, Al Jazeera television says its correspondent from Alexandria had seen more than 20 bodies in the city.
Mubarak went on television on Friday night, for the first time since the protests started, announcing he fired the cabinet and that the new one is to be formed on Saturday, but making clear that the violent acts of demonstrators will not be tolerated.
In the meantime, US, Great Britain, Australia, Sweden and Japan warned their citizens not to travel to Egypt unless necessary.
American President Barak Obama asked his Egyptian counterpart Hosni Mubarak to refrain from violence toward the protesters and tale steps to strengthen rights in Egypt.
Obama presented these suggestion on television, soon after a half-hour telephone conversation with Mubarak, Ap reports.
“Though days are ahead, surely, but USA will continue promoting the rights of Egyptian people and work with their government to create a future which is more just, free and full of hope”, Obama said.
American president underscored that USA and Egypt work together closely, but he added that USA “let them know clearly that some political, social and economic reforms must be made, to answer the strivings of Egyptian people”.
Obama also repeated requests previously stated by the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, appealing to Egyptian government to re-enable access to Internet and the social networks.
THis would have beem a good time to attack and destroy the Muslem Brotherhood, but the American forces are too stupid to suggest this and the Egyptian forces are too dumb to carry it out.
THat would have led to a more stable Egypt with less people that are hostile to America and Israel.
Why don’t you go over there, and assist with the fight against the Moslem Brotherhood? You should put your money where your mouth is!
The Egyptian people have seen increasing poverty and repression throughout the Mubarak reign. The U.S has supported him and his military unconditionally. There’s going to be tremendous blowback against the US now.
Where was Obama during the protests in Iran? When Ahmadinjad stole the election and riots broke out, the silence from Washington and the western press was deafening. There was a chance to spur GOOD change and establish a more moderate and pro-west government. With the riots in Egypt, if the protesters get their way the new government will most likely be more radical and anti-west yet Obama seems to be siding with the protesters. It seems like everything this man does, even when a person might think that he is doing good (siding with the oppressed people of Egypt)is bad for America.