Protesters back on Cairo streets (and Alexandria/Suez)

[Turborama]

Source: Al Jazeera English

Last Modified: Jan 29 2011 08:27 GMT



Protesters have returned to the streets of Cairo, following violent overnight protests across the country staged in defiance of a curfew. Demonstrators gathered in Tahrir Square in the Egyptian capital on Saturday morning, shouting "Go away, go away!", the Reuters news agency said.

The latest protests reflected popular discontent with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak's midnight address, where he announced that he was dismissing his government but remaining in power.

The several hundred protesters demonstrated in full view of the army, which had been deployed in the city to quell the popular unrest sweeping the Middle East's most populous Muslim country since January 25. They also repeatedly shouted that their intentions were peaceful.

Reuters reported that the police "fired shots" on the protesters. An independent confirmation of that report is awaited

Read more: http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/01/201112974149942894.html

---

Check here for live coverage as the day unfolds: http://english.aljazeera.net/watch_now

And their excellent regularly updated live blog: http://blogs.aljazeera.net/middle-east/2011/01/28/liveblog-egypts-protests-erupt

AJ English's banner which takes you to the homepage of their special coverage website:
http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/spotlight/anger-in-egypt/">

[cutlassmama]

1. The President and his family have fled to London

[Trajan]

2. I do not see that being reported anywhere ...

Can you substantiate this claim ? ....

[Catherina]

4. It was reported earlier on Israeli Channel 10 news

but I think they said Switzerland. CNN has confirmed Mubarak is *missing*, whatever that means.

There were earlier reports that his son and wife had fled. I haven't seen anything confirmed.

[Trajan]

8. Well - If true, the military will not defend his interests back home ...

At least some units appear to be abandoning the authorities and joining the protesters .... I greatly doubt he can turn it around from another state ....

[dipsydoodle]

30. Probably just gone

skiing for a break.

There is still nothing to confirm that his son ever reached London.

Good morning . :hi:

[comsymp]

51. AJE reporting he's still in Cairo, in meetings

They specified which Gov't building / compound but I missed it. Also saying Mubarek has appointed Omar Sulieman as VP, which they're speculating means Mubarek is preparing to bail.

[Turborama]

3. CNN International: Protesters head toward heart of Cairo as tanks stand by

Cairo, Egypt (CNN) -- Egyptian military tanks have surrounded Cairo's Tahrir Square, where hundreds of protesters gathered and the crowd was growing Saturday.

The atmosphere was tense as demonstrators continued chants of, "Down with Mubarak," hours after President Hosni Mubarak announced that he would remain in power but had asked the country's government to resign.

But demonstrators also chanted, "We are all Egyptians," and people gathered in the square were posing for pictures with tanks and shaking troops' hands.

Tahrir Square, located near many government buildings in the heart of downtown Cairo, has been a focal point for anti-government protests, which started Tuesday.

More: http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/01/29/egypt.protests/

[sabrina 1]

5. I was watching Al Jazeera earlier and they had an interview

with three people who, I believe, are part of the protest movement. There was nothing going on at that point, but they did say they were expecting people to come out again. The host of the show wondered if the revolt would fizzle out. They said absolutely not.

But, check this out, I just posted it http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x299494

The U.S. behind the protesters? I am going to read the Wikileaks cables myself, because I'm not sure about the Telegraph in terms of reliability. But if this is true I would be happy about it, but would wonder if there is an ulterior motive and if so, what is it?

[Catherina]

9. I can't place any credence in that, especially since it's from the Telegraph

The cables (what little I had time to read and also read about) don't back that up.






I prefer the Angry Arab's take

The US is now ready to take credit for the Egyptian uprising

This is such a propaganda story. They are bragging about flying one person from Egypt? That is how the uprising was sparked? How silly is that. Also, did the opposition in Egypt get $2.2 billion from the US government? Did you sell them high tech weapons too. I mean, really. Cut the propaganda.
Posted by As'ad at 4:21 PM

http://angryarab.blogspot.com/2011/01/us-is-now-ready-to-take-credit-for.html

[sabrina 1]

10. Thanks, I just deleted it. I was hesitant about it anyhow and will

read the cables myself ~

Love the Angry Arab.

[gateley]

11. Well the cables confirm that this person was meeting with DC "officials" but

I sure didn't see how The Telegraph extrapolated the story they printed. I'm not sure if the cables show "support" from the US or just listening to what he had to say.

[Turborama]

12. Look out for: "unrealistic plan" "no feasible plans" "highly unrealistic goal"

Also:

"Most opposition parties and
independent NGOs work toward achieving tangible, incremental
reform within the current political context, even if they may
be pessimistic about their chances of success. XXXXXXXXXXXX's
wholesale rejection of such an approach places him outside
this mainstream of opposition politicians and activists. "

Doesn't sound like "America's secret backing for rebel leaders behind uprising" in the slightest.

They're just repeating what some activist had told them.

The cable: http://wikileaks.ch/cable/2008/12/08CAIRO2572.html

I can't believe the OP in LBN about it has had so many recs. It's annoyed me so much it's the first LBN OP I've ever "ignored".

[gateley]

14. It was intriguing and an interesting read - just needed some thought to see

what it really meant (not much) -- for me, anyway.

[Catherina]

15. I don't either. The story doesn't make any sense n/t

[Catherina]

6. Thugs are vandalizing to give the regime an excuse to crack down

Just what Ben Ali did in a last desperate attempt to hang on.

msalameh RT @monaeltahawy:

Al Jazeera reporting that vandalism in #Egypt believed to be by thugs and criminals used by #Mubarak regime to create atmos of chaos
#Jan25 half a minute ago via web

This is even scarier. As'ad AbuKhalil, professor of political science, who runs Angry Arab News just posted this this afternoon. I can't tell if he meant that he can evaluate or can't evaluate. I think he meant can.

I received this message about Egypt

The source wants to stay anonymous but I cant evaluate the credibility of the source: "A source from within the Presidential Guard has claimed to my friends in Cairo that the army intends to end the protests on Sunday, by any means necessary even if it meant violence and bloodshed. Junta goons are causing chaos in Cairo to claim an unstable situation which will extend until Saturday. Then under the guise of bringing back order, they will "crush them with any amount of force needed!". The sources are unsure of the American role but believe the Americans will go with it."

Posted by As'ad at 5:14 PM

http://angryarab.blogspot.com/2011/01/i-received-this-message-about-egypt.html

[pnorman]

34. K & R, for all the valuable links!

n/t

[gateley]

7. Thank you for the Al Jazerra links! nt

[XemaSab]

13. Looks like everyone got a good night's sleep and is ready

to party some more. :party:

[rabs]

16. Correct me if I am wrong

but that sure looks like an APC burning in pix you posted.

Hope it a police APC, and not from the army, which so far has not fired on the people, as far as I can tell.

The police, on the other hand, have been vicious.

[gateley]

17. Mubarak gave his speech at MIDNIGHT? Sounds even more possible they waited

until he'd made a getaway before airing it.

Where in the world is Hosni Mubarak?

[Catherina]

20. My thoughts too. I'd like to know the answer to that n/t

[Catherina]

18. What do you think of this?

tkbeaty thals

the army lets protesters write Down with the regime! on the side of tanks in Tahrir
#Jan25 #Egypt about 5 hours ago via web Retweeted by 4 people

So far so good. Then

Mubarak's speech
You may compare this speech by Mubarak to the last speech by Bin `Ali. It just made things worse. He talked as if the people are merely blaming prime minister Nadhif for their misery. How dictators fight to the last second. I personally think that Mubarak probably would have surrendered power today but the US pushed him to stay in power. I am speculating but I have a feeling I am right. I received information that the US is trying to install the Egyptian Army's chief-of-staff as the new leader.

http://angryarab.blogspot.com/2011/01/mubaraks-speech.html

Fitting
Egyptian Army's chief-of-staff interrupted his visit to Washington, DC and returned to Egypt. The US government has asked him to report for duty. (thanks Joseph)

http://angryarab.blogspot.com/2011/01/fitting.html

Egypt Defense Minister and chief-of-staff
Were both in Washington, DC. If anyone knows about the purpose of the visit, send me info.
Posted by As'ad at 4:47 PM

http://angryarab.blogspot.com/2011/01/egypt-defense-minister-and-chief-of.html

I wonder if there's anything to this.

[Turborama]

19. Interesting and well worth following

Thanks for the share! :hi:

[Catherina]

21. Thanks for everything you've shared.

I can't decide if I should be following more tweets, reading your stuff or going to sleep. I think I'm going to go to sleep. I have a long day tomorrow. :hi:

[Turborama]

24. Sleep well

You deserve a good rest. I've only had 4 hours sleep so will probably go to bed early and get up early myself. :hi:

[Catherina]

26. Thanks. Heading off now. Now!

:hi:

[rabs]

22. Reuters had a story on the general yesterday datelined Washington

and apparently he has hightailed it back to Cairo.

I have been thinking that it will be the armed forces who take over if Mubarak goes. An interim military government until elections can be held. Maybe this is the general earmarked by the United States :shrug:

-----------------------

(Reuters) - A high-level Egyptian military delegation was in Washington on Friday for pre-scheduled defense talks, even as Egypt's army took to the streets to face unrest sweeping the country.

Chief of staff of Egypt's armed forces, Lieutenant General Sami Enan, is leading his delegation in the week-long talks that started on Wednesday, Pentagon spokesman Colonel Dave Lapan said.
\ --------- snip ----------
The country's armed forces -- the world's 10th biggest with more than 468,000 members -- have been at the heart of power since army officers staged an overthrow of the monarchy in 1952.

All four Egyptian presidents since then have come from the military, now led by Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi, 75, who is defense minister and commander-in-chief.

Enan, in Washington, ranks below him but is one of the top military officers in Egypt.

A Middle East military expert in Washington, speaking on condition of anonymity, described Enan as someone who appeared to have the respect of the United States.

Enan is scheduled to attend meetings at the Pentagon and other events in Washington. The expert doubted Enan and the delegation would remain in the United States if the situation in Egypt continued to deteriorate.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/01/28/us-egypt-usa-military-idUSTRE70R65Q20110128

[dipsydoodle]

23. Found another source

which looks to compile latest news : http://www.breakingnews.com/filter/egypt-protests

:hi:

[Turborama]

25. That is a good one.

I've seen people tweeting the "Breaking News" thing around on Google Realtime but never found its source.

Thanks for sharing and good morning. :hi:

[Turborama]

27. I've just found another one...

Looks quite good, working out how to navigate it: http://globalvoicesonline.org/-/world/middle-east-north-africa/egypt/

[Lars77]

28. BBC Liveblog

Very good for live updates as well.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/9380534.stm

[Turborama]

31. Thanks, Lars. Here's the Guardian one...

Which is good, as always: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jan/29/egypt-protests-government-live-blog

[Lars77]

35. Thank you :) nt

[Lars77]

29. BBC Analysis: Why Egypt matters

If Egyptian unrest turns into an Egyptian revolution, the implications for the Arab world - and for Western policy in the Middle East - will be immense.

Egypt matters, in a way that tiny Tunisia - key catalyst that it has been in the current wave of protest - does not.

Egypt, the most populous Arab state, can help determine the thrust of Arab policies - whether towards Israel or Iran or in the perennial quest for Arab consensus on issues that matter.

Above all, the Egyptian state has traditionally had a strength and solidity that made its collapse seem unthinkable.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12311889

[fedsron2us]

32. The game changer will be if the popular Arab revolts spread to Saudi Arabia

If ever there was a modern Bourbon regime to match that of 18th Century France then the House of Saud is it with thousands of prince-lings sucking up the wealth of the nation while the mass of the population gets crumbs (nb - not so unlike the west after all). Revolution there really would concentrate the minds of the world

[Turborama]

33. Heads Up: Al Jazeera English's Excellent Live Blog Of Egypt's Protests Has Moved

To here: http://blogs.aljazeera.net/middle-east/2011/01/29/liveblog-egypts-protests

[Lars77]

36. Al-Jazeera reports protests also in Luxor

1:55pm The headquarters of the ruling party in Luxor, Upper Egypt, have been torched. Military tanks are entering the city.

From http://blogs.aljazeera.net/middle-east/2011/01/29/liveblog-egypts-protests

[Turborama]

38. Egyptian Military Closes Tourist Access To The Pyramids

2:10pm Egyptian military closes tourist access to the pyramids.
http://blogs.aljazeera.net/middle-east/2011/01/29/liveblog-291-egypts-protests-continue

[Lars77]

37. Soccer Fans Play Key Role in Egyptian Protests

http://mideastposts.com/2011/01/27/soccer-fans-play-key-role-in-egyptian-protests/

With Egypt entering its second day of unprecedented anti-government protests, soccer fans constitute a well-organized and feared pillar of the marshalling grassroots coalition determined to ensure that President Hosni Mubarak suffers the same fate as Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali who was toppled earlier this month by mass demonstrations.

The soccer fans, including the ultras of Cairo’s storied Al Ahly (The National) Sports Club, are part of an alliance of youth activists, Islamists, and workers protesting against the government’s failure to alleviate poverty, eradicate corruption and provide jobs as well as its employment of repression and torture to stymie opposition.

_______________________________________________________
Ultras are extremely organized fans you find all over Europe and North Africa, and even some parts of Asia. The culture supposedly began in Italy in the late 60s. During the Kosovo War the paramilitary forces of Arkan recruited Serb nationalists directly from the Ultras groups following Red Star Belgrade especially. Ultras coordinate organized chanting and choerography in the stadium to support the team.

[florida08]

39. wow

Looks like Richard Engel was wrong. Said last night there probably wouldn't be to many protests today. US ambassador to Egypt is worried that the Muslim Brotherhood will fill the void but it doesn't sound like it.

[Lars77]

40. Awesome video (posted by Turborama earlier)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThvBJMzmSZI

I'm listening to this song over and over on Spotify, all revolutions need great soundtracks.

[florida08]

41. tremendous video

How true the quote by JFK. Just heard from Al Jazeera that the banks have been ordered to shut down in Cairo

[Turborama]

44. Awesome, isn't it. I've posted it as an OP

Latest version is here in GD: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x299131

[florida08]

45. truliy awesome..going to check on the latest version

btw..looks like the Saudi King is weighing in

http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article245718.ece

RIYADH: Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah condemned the violence in Egypt in a telephone call Saturday morning to Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.

“Egypt is a country of Arabism and Islam. No Arab and Muslim can bear that some infiltrators into the brotherly Egyptian people are attempting to destabilize that country’s security and stability in the name of freedom of expression, and they have been exploiting the public and spawning hatred and driving them to engage in destruction, arson, looting — terrorizing them and inciting sedition,'' the king said in a statement distributed by the Saudi Press Agency.

[Lars77]

46. Tamer Shabaan's youtube channel

The creator of the video:

http://www.youtube.com/user/tshaaban88

[Turborama]

49. Thanks for that!

Subbed, faved, shared and liked. :fistbump:

[Turborama]

42. A group of Bedouin has attacked state security headquarters in the town of Rafah near Egypt's border

1:58pm A group of Bedouin has attacked state security headquarters in the town of Rafah near Egypt's border with Israel, killing three policemen, witnesses and a security source said.
http://blogs.aljazeera.net/middle-east/2011/01/29/liveblog-291-egypts-protests-continue

[dotymed]

43. The reasons for the Egyptian Revolution,

are the very same reasons that many Americans are disgusted with our system. Following are quotes from a CNN story, reported from Cairo. I would say more, but here are the quotes. We Americans, can learn a lot from the mostly peaceful (on the sides of the protesters) demonstrations that are successfully overturning repressive governments. It is mostly the have-nots being sick and tired of sacrificing to maintain the "haves."



"The demonstrators, many of then young urban poor and students, complain of repression, corruption and economic despair under Mubarak, who has held power since the 1981 assassination of President Anwar Sadat by Islamist soldiers."

"All he said were empty promises and lies. He appointed a new government of thieves, one thief goes and one thief comes to loot the country."

"This is the revolution of the people who are hungry, this is the revolution of the people who have no money against those with a lot of money."


We must start a new paradigm, globally. This starts by each nation deciding to change the current paradigm.

[Turborama]

47. Some of the soldiers say peace will only happen if Mubarak steps down

"Some of the soldiers here have said that the only way for peace to come to the streets of Cairo is for Mubarak to step down"

From the article in the OP, which seems to be updated often.

[florida08]

48. if you're following on twitter

http://twitter.com/#!/sharifkouddous

is in Cairo ..he's got a work around access..internet still down Egypt

[florida08]

50. latest

sharifkouddous Sharif Kouddous
The police holed up in interior ministry are firing. Three people bloodied carried out. The army is not shooting. #Egypt