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Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Egypt set for mass protest as army rules out force
• One million to march on critical day for rebellion
• Vice-president says he will talk to opposition
• White House hardens stance over transition
Ian Black, Middle East editor, Jack Shenker in Cairo, Chris McGreal in Washington guardian.co.uk, Monday 31 January 2011
"Egypt's army gave a powerful boost to the country's opposition last night by announcing that it would not use force to silence "legitimate" demands for democratic reforms in the Arab world's largest nation.
On the eve of a million-strong protest planned for today and amid multiplying signs that the US is moving steadily closer to ditching its long-standing ally, Egypt's president, Hosni Mubarak, now has few options left.....
Analysts believe that a likely outcome of the crisis is that Mubarak will eventually be persuaded to stand down by his closest advisers, including the army top brass and Suleiman. The US has close links to the Egyptian military....."
• Vice-president says he will talk to opposition
• White House hardens stance over transition
Ian Black, Middle East editor, Jack Shenker in Cairo, Chris McGreal in Washington guardian.co.uk, Monday 31 January 2011
"Egypt's army gave a powerful boost to the country's opposition last night by announcing that it would not use force to silence "legitimate" demands for democratic reforms in the Arab world's largest nation.
On the eve of a million-strong protest planned for today and amid multiplying signs that the US is moving steadily closer to ditching its long-standing ally, Egypt's president, Hosni Mubarak, now has few options left.....
Analysts believe that a likely outcome of the crisis is that Mubarak will eventually be persuaded to stand down by his closest advisers, including the army top brass and Suleiman. The US has close links to the Egyptian military....."
Egypt protesters play down Islamist party's role
Muslim Brotherhood the main opposition party has vowed to 'respect the will of the people' if Mubarak's regime falls
Jack Shenker in Cairo
guardian.co.uk, Monday 31 January 2011
"....Tony Blair, the Middle East peace envoy, warned that Egypt might take a backward step "into a very reactionary form of religious autocracy". But his words carried limited resonance in Egypt, where the Muslim Brotherhood – the country's largest opposition force – has played little more than a walk-on role in the unprecedented protests that have shaken one of the Middle East's oldest and most entrenched dictatorships.
"There is widespread exaggeration about the role of the Brotherhood in Egyptian society, and I think these demonstrations have exposed that," said Khalil al-Anani, an expert on Egypt's political Islamists at Durham University. "At first the movement showed little interest in the protests and announced they weren't going to participate; later they were overtaken by events and forced to get involved or risk losing all credibility."
Egypt's ongoing intifada or uprising has been largely leaderless, planned initially by secular online activist groups and quickly gathering a momentum of its own, as protesters managed to beat riot police off the streets and inspire belief that Mubarak's security forces could be overcome.
Even on Friday, when the Brotherhood finally threw its weight behind efforts to bring down the government – a stance its leadership initially held back from – Islamist slogans were noticeable by their absence, and the formal contribution of the movement remained limited.....
"All of Egypt is changing, and of course the Brotherhood is part of that," said Assas. "The youth is leading the way, and leaders are heeding our call."
[As that old cliche goes: When the people lead, the leaders will follow!]
Jack Shenker in Cairo
guardian.co.uk, Monday 31 January 2011
"....Tony Blair, the Middle East peace envoy, warned that Egypt might take a backward step "into a very reactionary form of religious autocracy". But his words carried limited resonance in Egypt, where the Muslim Brotherhood – the country's largest opposition force – has played little more than a walk-on role in the unprecedented protests that have shaken one of the Middle East's oldest and most entrenched dictatorships.
"There is widespread exaggeration about the role of the Brotherhood in Egyptian society, and I think these demonstrations have exposed that," said Khalil al-Anani, an expert on Egypt's political Islamists at Durham University. "At first the movement showed little interest in the protests and announced they weren't going to participate; later they were overtaken by events and forced to get involved or risk losing all credibility."
Egypt's ongoing intifada or uprising has been largely leaderless, planned initially by secular online activist groups and quickly gathering a momentum of its own, as protesters managed to beat riot police off the streets and inspire belief that Mubarak's security forces could be overcome.
Even on Friday, when the Brotherhood finally threw its weight behind efforts to bring down the government – a stance its leadership initially held back from – Islamist slogans were noticeable by their absence, and the formal contribution of the movement remained limited.....
"All of Egypt is changing, and of course the Brotherhood is part of that," said Assas. "The youth is leading the way, and leaders are heeding our call."
[As that old cliche goes: When the people lead, the leaders will follow!]
Al-Jazeera Video: Witness - Blogging on the Nile
"All over Egypt thousands of people have taken to the streets to protest against Hosni Mubarak's government. Blogs, twitter, Facebook and mobile phone footage have all played some part in mobilising the crowds and getting messages to the wider world. And this despite a draconian crackdown on media and an unprecedented blackout of the internet by the authorities. In today's Witness we look back at a film made four years ago, when bloggers were relatively few and new in Egypt. They claimed the Egyptian government was nothing better than a dictatorship, using torture, intimidation and corruption to maintain its hold on power, and they were attracting a growing audience. Back then they were already making waves - and paying a high price. But they were sewing the seeds of today's multi-media uprising. We are also joined in the studio by two guests who have been following the development of media in Egypt - Sharif Nashashibi from Arab Media Watch and researcher Ramy Aly who experienced blogging in Egypt in 2006 and 2007."
Giant protest kicks off in Egypt
More than hundred thousand assemble in Cairo for the "million-man-march" aimed at forcing president Mubarak to resign.
"....Throngs protest
Thousands of demonstrators began gathering from early on Tuesday morning in Cairo's Tahrir Square, which has been the focal point of protests in the capital and served as the meeting area for the march to begin on the eighth day of an uprising that has so far claimed more than 125 lives.
Another "million-strong" march is planned in the Mediterranean port city of Alexandria, as national train services were cancelled in an apparent bid to stymie protests. Protest organisers have also called for an indefinite strike to be observed across the country.
Soldiers at Tahrir Square have formed a human chain around protesters, and are checking people as they enter for weapons. Tanks have been positioned near the square, and officers have been checking identity papers.
'Gaining momentum'
Al Jazeera correspondent said that there were reports that "thugs in certain parts of the city have been trying to stop people from driving into Cairo".....
Faced with the prospect of massive numbers trying to converge on the capital, Egyptian authorities stopped all train traffic with immediate effect on Monday afternoon, and the state-owned national carrier EgyptAir said it was cancelling all international and domestic flights during curfew hours (3.00pm to 8.00am local time).
Army promise
In a statement on Monday, the army said "freedom of expression" was guaranteed to all citizens using peaceful means.
"To the great people of Egypt, your armed forces, acknowledging the legitimate rights of the people," stress that "they have not and will not use force against the Egyptian people," said the statement.
It was the first such explicit confirmation by the army that it would not fire at demonstrators who have taken to the streets of Egypt and comes a day before Tuesday's "march of millions"....."
Al-Jazeera
"....Throngs protest
Thousands of demonstrators began gathering from early on Tuesday morning in Cairo's Tahrir Square, which has been the focal point of protests in the capital and served as the meeting area for the march to begin on the eighth day of an uprising that has so far claimed more than 125 lives.
Another "million-strong" march is planned in the Mediterranean port city of Alexandria, as national train services were cancelled in an apparent bid to stymie protests. Protest organisers have also called for an indefinite strike to be observed across the country.
Soldiers at Tahrir Square have formed a human chain around protesters, and are checking people as they enter for weapons. Tanks have been positioned near the square, and officers have been checking identity papers.
'Gaining momentum'
Al Jazeera correspondent said that there were reports that "thugs in certain parts of the city have been trying to stop people from driving into Cairo".....
Faced with the prospect of massive numbers trying to converge on the capital, Egyptian authorities stopped all train traffic with immediate effect on Monday afternoon, and the state-owned national carrier EgyptAir said it was cancelling all international and domestic flights during curfew hours (3.00pm to 8.00am local time).
Army promise
In a statement on Monday, the army said "freedom of expression" was guaranteed to all citizens using peaceful means.
"To the great people of Egypt, your armed forces, acknowledging the legitimate rights of the people," stress that "they have not and will not use force against the Egyptian people," said the statement.
It was the first such explicit confirmation by the army that it would not fire at demonstrators who have taken to the streets of Egypt and comes a day before Tuesday's "march of millions"....."
That is Hamas for You!
(Jerusalem, January 31, 2011) - Bill van Esveld, Human Rights Watch researcher in Jerusalem
COMMENT: Who said that we Palestinians do not have a state? We actually have two police non-states: one in Ramallah and one in Gaza!
"Hamas authorities in the Gaza Strip prevented Gazans from demonstrating in solidarity with protesters in Egypt, according to witnesses we talked to. Police arbitrarily arrested six women and threatened to arrest another 20 people who responded to a call on Facebook for a demonstration at the park of the Unknown Soldier in Gaza City. “The Hamas authorities should stop arbitrarily interfering with peaceful demonstrations about Egypt or anything else,” said Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East director at Human Rights Watch. “Police committing unlawful arrests and abusing demonstrators should be held to account.”
An eyewitness told Human Rights Watch that shortly after 2 p.m. on January 31, plainclothes detectives forced three women demonstrators into a civilian car and drove them away. Others who walked away from the planned demonstration were followed by a police detective on a motorcycle, who demanded that they turn over their ID cards and mobile phones. When they handed over their IDs but refused to surrender their phones, the detective called for support to arrest them, and the demonstrators fled, the witness said.
One of the women detained told Human Rights Watch that police women apprehended her and took her for questioning at the Gaza City police station, where she saw five other women being held pending interrogation after attending the planned demonstration. Police women told the detainees to sign pledges that they would not participate in demonstrations without first obtaining police permission and would respond to police summons at any time. Women police officers insulted demonstrators who were not wearing headscarves and questioned whether they were really Muslims, and slapped one demonstrator and pulled her hair, witnesses said. The women were later released.
Under international human rights law, no restrictions may be placed on the exercise of the right to peaceful assembly other than those imposed in conformity with the law and which are strictly necessary and proportionate for national security, public safety, or public order."
An eyewitness told Human Rights Watch that shortly after 2 p.m. on January 31, plainclothes detectives forced three women demonstrators into a civilian car and drove them away. Others who walked away from the planned demonstration were followed by a police detective on a motorcycle, who demanded that they turn over their ID cards and mobile phones. When they handed over their IDs but refused to surrender their phones, the detective called for support to arrest them, and the demonstrators fled, the witness said.
One of the women detained told Human Rights Watch that police women apprehended her and took her for questioning at the Gaza City police station, where she saw five other women being held pending interrogation after attending the planned demonstration. Police women told the detainees to sign pledges that they would not participate in demonstrations without first obtaining police permission and would respond to police summons at any time. Women police officers insulted demonstrators who were not wearing headscarves and questioned whether they were really Muslims, and slapped one demonstrator and pulled her hair, witnesses said. The women were later released.
Under international human rights law, no restrictions may be placed on the exercise of the right to peaceful assembly other than those imposed in conformity with the law and which are strictly necessary and proportionate for national security, public safety, or public order."
Egypt: Impunity for Torture Fuels Days of Rage
New Government Should Prosecute Police Abuses, Make Clean Break With Torture
"(Cairo) - Torture is an endemic problem in Egypt and ending police abuse has been a driving element behind the massive popular demonstrations that swept Egypt over the past week, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today.
"(Cairo) - Torture is an endemic problem in Egypt and ending police abuse has been a driving element behind the massive popular demonstrations that swept Egypt over the past week, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today.
Prosecuting torture and ending the emergency laws that enable a culture of impunity for the security forces should be a priority for the Egyptian government, Human Rights Watch said.The 95-page report, "‘Work on Him Until He Confesses': Impunity for Torture in Egypt," documents how President Hosni Mubarak's government implicitly condones police abuse by failing to ensure that law enforcement officials accused of torture are investigated and criminally prosecuted, leaving victims without a remedy.
"Egyptians deserve a clean break from the incredibly entrenched practice of torture," said Joe Stork, deputy director of the Middle East and North Africa Division at Human Rights Watch. "The Egyptian government's foul record on this issue is a huge part of what is still bringing crowds onto the streets today."
The case of Khaled Said, a 28-year-old man beaten to death by two undercover police officers on an Alexandria street in June, dominated headlines and set off demonstrations across the country. The local prosecutor initially closed an investigation and ordered Said's burial, but escalating public protests prompted the Public Prosecutor to reopen the investigation and refer it to court. "We Are All Khaled Said" is the name of the Facebook group that helped initiate the mass demonstrations on January 25, 2011.
The report urges officials to undertake immediate legal, structural, and political reforms to ensure that the judicial system holds perpetrators of torture accountable and deters future abuse. It examines dozens of cases of torture and death in custody for which victims or their families instituted legal proceedings by filing a complaint.The vast majority of torture complaints never reach court because of police intimidation of victims and witnesses who file complaints, an inadequate legal framework, and delays in referring victims for medical examination, Human Rights Watch said......."
Download full (95 pages), pdf Report
The case of Khaled Said, a 28-year-old man beaten to death by two undercover police officers on an Alexandria street in June, dominated headlines and set off demonstrations across the country. The local prosecutor initially closed an investigation and ordered Said's burial, but escalating public protests prompted the Public Prosecutor to reopen the investigation and refer it to court. "We Are All Khaled Said" is the name of the Facebook group that helped initiate the mass demonstrations on January 25, 2011.
The report urges officials to undertake immediate legal, structural, and political reforms to ensure that the judicial system holds perpetrators of torture accountable and deters future abuse. It examines dozens of cases of torture and death in custody for which victims or their families instituted legal proceedings by filing a complaint.The vast majority of torture complaints never reach court because of police intimidation of victims and witnesses who file complaints, an inadequate legal framework, and delays in referring victims for medical examination, Human Rights Watch said......."
Download full (95 pages), pdf Report
عمر سليمان.. رجل أميركا بمصر
Al-Jazeera
"تتهم منظمات حقوقية اللواء عمر سليمان نائب الرئيس المصري حسني مبارك والمدير السابق لجهاز المخابرات بالتورط في "استجواب وحشي" لمعتقلين متهمين في قضايا إرهاب ضمن برنامج سري لوكالة المخابرات الأميركية (سي آي. أي).
ويوضح دور سليمان في "الحرب على الإرهاب" العلاقات التي تربط الولايات المتحدة الأميركية والنظام المصري الذي يتعرض منذ سبعة أيام لاحتجاجات شعبية ومظاهرات عارمة تطالب بإسقاطه.
وفي محاولة لاحتواء الأزمة، عين سليمان نائبا للرئيس المصري قبل يومين وكلف بإجراء اتصالات مع قوى المعارضة.
ونال سليمان الإشادة والثناء من قبل واشنطن بعد قيادته الناجحة لمفاوضات بين إسرائيل والفلسطينيين وبين الفرقاء الفلسطينيين أنفسهم. ويمثل بالنسبة للمخابرات الأميركية شريكا موثوقا به لجهوده في مواجهة خطر الجماعات الإسلامية الجهادية دون تردد.
"تتهم منظمات حقوقية اللواء عمر سليمان نائب الرئيس المصري حسني مبارك والمدير السابق لجهاز المخابرات بالتورط في "استجواب وحشي" لمعتقلين متهمين في قضايا إرهاب ضمن برنامج سري لوكالة المخابرات الأميركية (سي آي. أي).
ويوضح دور سليمان في "الحرب على الإرهاب" العلاقات التي تربط الولايات المتحدة الأميركية والنظام المصري الذي يتعرض منذ سبعة أيام لاحتجاجات شعبية ومظاهرات عارمة تطالب بإسقاطه.
وفي محاولة لاحتواء الأزمة، عين سليمان نائبا للرئيس المصري قبل يومين وكلف بإجراء اتصالات مع قوى المعارضة.
ونال سليمان الإشادة والثناء من قبل واشنطن بعد قيادته الناجحة لمفاوضات بين إسرائيل والفلسطينيين وبين الفرقاء الفلسطينيين أنفسهم. ويمثل بالنسبة للمخابرات الأميركية شريكا موثوقا به لجهوده في مواجهة خطر الجماعات الإسلامية الجهادية دون تردد.
تدريبات
وثمرة للشراكة الأميركية المصرية، خضع سليمان لتدريبات خلال ثمانينيات القرن الماضي بمعهد ومركز جون كينيدي الخاص للحروب في فورت براغ بنورث كارولينا
وبصفته مديرا للمخابرات، تبنى سليمان برنامج السي آي أي لتسليم معتقلي ما يسمى الإرهاب الذين كانوا ينقلون إلى مصر وبلدان أخرى حيث يستجوبون سرا دون إجراءات قانونية. ويقول جاين ماير صاحب كتاب "الجانب المظلم" إن سليمان كان "رجل سي آي أي بمصر في هذا البرنامج".
ومباشرة بعد توليه رئاسة المخابرات، أشرف سليمان على اتفاق مع الولايات المتحدة عام 1995 يسمح بنقل المشتبه فيهم سرا إلى مصر للاستجواب، حسب كتاب "الطائرة الشبح" للصحفي ستيفن غراي.
انتهاك
وتقول منظمات حقوق الإنسان إن المعتقلين كانوا يتعرضون للتعذيب وسوء المعاملة في مصر وغيرها، متهمة الحكومة الأميركية بانتهاك التزاماتها عبر تسليم المعتقلين لأنظمة معروفة بمثل هذه التجاوزات.
وحتى بعد الغزو الأميركي للعراق عام 2003 اعتمدت السي آي أي، على سليمان لاستقبال معتقلين منهم ابن الشيخ الليبي الذي يعتقد الأميركيون أنه قد يثبت ارتباط الرئيس العراقي الراحل صدام حسين وتنظيم القاعدة
....."
وثمرة للشراكة الأميركية المصرية، خضع سليمان لتدريبات خلال ثمانينيات القرن الماضي بمعهد ومركز جون كينيدي الخاص للحروب في فورت براغ بنورث كارولينا
وبصفته مديرا للمخابرات، تبنى سليمان برنامج السي آي أي لتسليم معتقلي ما يسمى الإرهاب الذين كانوا ينقلون إلى مصر وبلدان أخرى حيث يستجوبون سرا دون إجراءات قانونية. ويقول جاين ماير صاحب كتاب "الجانب المظلم" إن سليمان كان "رجل سي آي أي بمصر في هذا البرنامج".
ومباشرة بعد توليه رئاسة المخابرات، أشرف سليمان على اتفاق مع الولايات المتحدة عام 1995 يسمح بنقل المشتبه فيهم سرا إلى مصر للاستجواب، حسب كتاب "الطائرة الشبح" للصحفي ستيفن غراي.
انتهاك
وتقول منظمات حقوق الإنسان إن المعتقلين كانوا يتعرضون للتعذيب وسوء المعاملة في مصر وغيرها، متهمة الحكومة الأميركية بانتهاك التزاماتها عبر تسليم المعتقلين لأنظمة معروفة بمثل هذه التجاوزات.
وحتى بعد الغزو الأميركي للعراق عام 2003 اعتمدت السي آي أي، على سليمان لاستقبال معتقلين منهم ابن الشيخ الليبي الذي يعتقد الأميركيون أنه قد يثبت ارتباط الرئيس العراقي الراحل صدام حسين وتنظيم القاعدة
....."
Monday, January 31, 2011
Interview with Ahmed Moor from Cairo: ‘This is a society-wide program for change’
A mother with child watches protesters gather in Tahrir Square yesterday.
Adam Horowitz (Mondoweiss)
This morning I had an opportunity to conduct an impromptu interview with Ahmed Moor in Cairo by Skype. He was just returning from Tahrir Square and offers his take on the day's events, and where things seem to be headed in Eqypt. I hope to conduct similar interviews in coming days.
Here is a rush transcript of Moor's comments:
Q. Is ElBaradei mentioned on the street?
There is a unity of purpose [of ousting Mubarak], in every protest and gathering I’ve been to. Just today I’ve been hearing that ElBaradei is a viable alternative, but that’s from just a few people on the street… One man said to me, Now is not the time for us to be thinking who’s next.
Q. A vision of what the day after looks like?
What I’ve been hearing is that people expect the army to step in and quiet things down before elections take place. There is an expectation that elections will take place. That’s the next step.
The rest here (Mondoweiss)
Mideast Diseased with Stagnation, Its Leaders Must Upgrade Themselves
Al-Manar
THUS SPOKE THE ONLY KHALIF IN THE ARAB WORLD!
"31/01/2011 In a rare interview with the Wall Street Journal on Sunday, Syrian President Bashar Assad said the Middle East is diseased with stagnation and its leaders must "upgrade" themselves and their societies to keep up with the demands of their people
THUS SPOKE THE ONLY KHALIF IN THE ARAB WORLD!
"31/01/2011 In a rare interview with the Wall Street Journal on Sunday, Syrian President Bashar Assad said the Middle East is diseased with stagnation and its leaders must "upgrade" themselves and their societies to keep up with the demands of their people
[The people ask, "How did you become the president?" and they demand that you too board the next plane to Jeddah.] ....."
THE PHARAOH'S BOARDING PASS TO JEDDAH...ON BEN ALI AIRLINES!
Contributed by Yasmin
(Click on photo to enlarge)
(Click on photo to enlarge)
وثيقة: وزير الداخلية المصري أمر بنشر الفوضى والسلب والنهب
Contributed by Guest
This also appears Here
"عممت في اليوم الأخير وعبر شبكة الانترنيت وثيقتين قيل انها تعليمات وزارة الداخلية المصرية لمواجهة التظاهرات الشعبية الضخمة وكيفية افشالها.
كما نشرت الوثيقتين على موقع "الجزيرة شارك" لتبادل الملفات والفيديو.
ورغم عدم التأكد من صحة الوثائق لكنها تبدو قريبة الى الواقع لجهة انسحاب رجال الشرطة وانتشار الفوضى، اضافة لتعليمات قطع الاتصالات وشبكة الانترنيت ومحاولة تشويه أهداف المتظاهرين وتصويرهم كمثيري شغب.
وفي الوثيقتين تعليمات مفصلة قيل انها من وزير الداخلية المصري الحبيب العدلي للتعامل مع المتظاهرين والتصدي للاحتجاجات وتشويه اهدافها عبر تكليف رجال الامن واصحاب السوابق بنشر الشائعات والقيام باعمال النهب والسلب
...."
This also appears Here
"عممت في اليوم الأخير وعبر شبكة الانترنيت وثيقتين قيل انها تعليمات وزارة الداخلية المصرية لمواجهة التظاهرات الشعبية الضخمة وكيفية افشالها.
كما نشرت الوثيقتين على موقع "الجزيرة شارك" لتبادل الملفات والفيديو.
ورغم عدم التأكد من صحة الوثائق لكنها تبدو قريبة الى الواقع لجهة انسحاب رجال الشرطة وانتشار الفوضى، اضافة لتعليمات قطع الاتصالات وشبكة الانترنيت ومحاولة تشويه أهداف المتظاهرين وتصويرهم كمثيري شغب.
وفي الوثيقتين تعليمات مفصلة قيل انها من وزير الداخلية المصري الحبيب العدلي للتعامل مع المتظاهرين والتصدي للاحتجاجات وتشويه اهدافها عبر تكليف رجال الامن واصحاب السوابق بنشر الشائعات والقيام باعمال النهب والسلب
...."
Crisis in Egypt: Blogger/journalist first-hand stories
EXCELLENT INTERVIEW!
Contributed by W
From the Washington Post
"Hossam el-Hamalawy, an Egyptian blogger and journalist from Cairo who writes the popular blog Arabawy, was online Monday, Jan. 31, at Noon ET to take questions about what is currently happening on the ground in the Egyption capital.
El-Hamalawy has been an editor at several Egyptian papers and is currently at Al Ahram English, a leading English-language daily.....
New York, NY: I am a Coptic Christian and would like to know if Coptic youth are taking part in the protests? And if you have spoken to any of them what are their hopes for Coptic rights if the regime leaves? Please give us some information. Thank you.
Hossam el-Hamalawy: Despite the call by the Coptic church in Egypt not to take part in the protests because the church is closely affiliated to the Mubarak regime but many of the Coptic youth are taking part in the uprising and the Muslim protesters largely welcome that and in demonstrations there are always slogans chanted by the demonstrators calling for unity between Copts and Muslims against the regime and denouncing sectarianism......"
From the Washington Post
"Hossam el-Hamalawy, an Egyptian blogger and journalist from Cairo who writes the popular blog Arabawy, was online Monday, Jan. 31, at Noon ET to take questions about what is currently happening on the ground in the Egyption capital.
El-Hamalawy has been an editor at several Egyptian papers and is currently at Al Ahram English, a leading English-language daily.....
New York, NY: I am a Coptic Christian and would like to know if Coptic youth are taking part in the protests? And if you have spoken to any of them what are their hopes for Coptic rights if the regime leaves? Please give us some information. Thank you.
Hossam el-Hamalawy: Despite the call by the Coptic church in Egypt not to take part in the protests because the church is closely affiliated to the Mubarak regime but many of the Coptic youth are taking part in the uprising and the Muslim protesters largely welcome that and in demonstrations there are always slogans chanted by the demonstrators calling for unity between Copts and Muslims against the regime and denouncing sectarianism......"
Urgent Message About Egypt
From Yasmin
"Mubarak switched off Internet, Mobile phone networks, cancelled all national railway services, stopped petrol supplies to petrol stations, stopped food supplies to shops, ordered police agents to loot & start chaos & got police to fire at protesters. He's trying to turn Cairo into Gaza.
Call the WH (White House) switchboard at 202-456-1414 and tell them we have to stop supporting Mubarak to get him out of there.
In other news, according to BBC the Egyptian army released a statement that they refuse to shoot at protesters. Hearing rumours though that Air Force is 100% behind Mubarak. I do think there is a division in the military."
"Mubarak switched off Internet, Mobile phone networks, cancelled all national railway services, stopped petrol supplies to petrol stations, stopped food supplies to shops, ordered police agents to loot & start chaos & got police to fire at protesters. He's trying to turn Cairo into Gaza.
Call the WH (White House) switchboard at 202-456-1414 and tell them we have to stop supporting Mubarak to get him out of there.
In other news, according to BBC the Egyptian army released a statement that they refuse to shoot at protesters. Hearing rumours though that Air Force is 100% behind Mubarak. I do think there is a division in the military."
Current Al-Jazeera (Arabic) Online Poll
Another Blockbuster Poll!
This poll was launched just today, and already 26,000 have participated!
It asks the question of the hour:
Do you expect the Egyptian model of an uprising to be repeated in other Arab countries?
91% said YES!
This poll was launched just today, and already 26,000 have participated!
It asks the question of the hour:
Do you expect the Egyptian model of an uprising to be repeated in other Arab countries?
91% said YES!
Can the Palestinian Authority Survive?
"Our Leaders are Negotiating the Terms of Our Imprisonment"
By JONATHAN COOK
CounterPunch
Nazareth.
"With the 18-year-long Middle East peace process finally pronounced dead, is the Palestinian Authority finished too?
That is the question being asked by Palestinians in the wake of a week of damaging revelations that Palestinian negotiators secretly made major concessions to Israel in talks on Jerusalem, refugees and borders.
The PA -- the Palestinians' government-in-the-making, led by Mahmoud Abbas -- was already in crisis before the disclosure of official Palestinian documents by Al Jazeera television last week.
Now, said George Giacaman, the head of the Ramallah-based research centre Muwatin, which advocates greater Palestinian democracy, the PA's "back is to the wall".
The question of the PA's survival, and the future direction of Palestinian politics, has gained added urgency as the wider Middle East is rocked by unrest, from Tunisia to Yemen..... [COMMENT: It is so ironic that the Palestinians (when they were alive and active) used to complain, "where are the Arabs?" Now the shoe is on the other foot. With the Tunisians and the Egyptians showing what a grass roots revolution looks like, while the Palestinians are waiting for their paychecks from the nearest NGO and actually defending the occupation and the colonization of their land. Incredible!!]
By JONATHAN COOK
CounterPunch
Nazareth.
"With the 18-year-long Middle East peace process finally pronounced dead, is the Palestinian Authority finished too?
That is the question being asked by Palestinians in the wake of a week of damaging revelations that Palestinian negotiators secretly made major concessions to Israel in talks on Jerusalem, refugees and borders.
The PA -- the Palestinians' government-in-the-making, led by Mahmoud Abbas -- was already in crisis before the disclosure of official Palestinian documents by Al Jazeera television last week.
Now, said George Giacaman, the head of the Ramallah-based research centre Muwatin, which advocates greater Palestinian democracy, the PA's "back is to the wall".
The question of the PA's survival, and the future direction of Palestinian politics, has gained added urgency as the wider Middle East is rocked by unrest, from Tunisia to Yemen..... [COMMENT: It is so ironic that the Palestinians (when they were alive and active) used to complain, "where are the Arabs?" Now the shoe is on the other foot. With the Tunisians and the Egyptians showing what a grass roots revolution looks like, while the Palestinians are waiting for their paychecks from the nearest NGO and actually defending the occupation and the colonization of their land. Incredible!!]
Made in the USA: Tear Gas, Tanks, Helicopters, Rifles, and Fighter Planes in Egypt Funded and Built Largely by US Defense Department and American Corp
Democracy Now!
With Amy Goodman
"The United States has given billion dollars of military aid to Egypt over the last decades. Lockheed Martin, Boeing and General Electric have provided tanks, missiles, engines and more to the Hosni Mubarak regime. Following the massive popular uprising, U.S. foreign aid continues to flow to Egypt, although the Obama administration has placed the program under review. We speak with William Hartung, author of Prophets of War: Lockheed Martin and the Making of the Military-Industrial Complex and Samer Shehata, assistant professor of Arab Politics at Georgetown University......"
With Amy Goodman
"The United States has given billion dollars of military aid to Egypt over the last decades. Lockheed Martin, Boeing and General Electric have provided tanks, missiles, engines and more to the Hosni Mubarak regime. Following the massive popular uprising, U.S. foreign aid continues to flow to Egypt, although the Obama administration has placed the program under review. We speak with William Hartung, author of Prophets of War: Lockheed Martin and the Making of the Military-Industrial Complex and Samer Shehata, assistant professor of Arab Politics at Georgetown University......"
Democracy Now!’s Sharif Abdel Kouddous Live from Egypt: The Rebellion Grows Stronger
THE ENTIRE PROGRAM TODAY IS ON EGYPT!
Democracy Now!
With Amy Goodman
"Massive protests in Egypt have entered their seventh day as tens of thousands pack into Tahrir Square in Cairo. Protesters are vowing to stay in the streets until President Hosni Mubarak resigns. A general strike was called for today, and a "million man march" is being organized for Tuesday. We speak with Democracy Now! senior producer Sharif Abdel Kouddous, who is in Cairo. "This is a popular uprising across all segments of society," Kouddous says. "People are so fed up with Mubarak, it’s hard to describe. They curse him. They want him to step down. And they will not leave the streets of Cairo, the streets of Egypt, until he does."....."
Democracy Now!
With Amy Goodman
"Massive protests in Egypt have entered their seventh day as tens of thousands pack into Tahrir Square in Cairo. Protesters are vowing to stay in the streets until President Hosni Mubarak resigns. A general strike was called for today, and a "million man march" is being organized for Tuesday. We speak with Democracy Now! senior producer Sharif Abdel Kouddous, who is in Cairo. "This is a popular uprising across all segments of society," Kouddous says. "People are so fed up with Mubarak, it’s hard to describe. They curse him. They want him to step down. And they will not leave the streets of Cairo, the streets of Egypt, until he does."....."
Meet the Al Jazeera Correspondents Who Are Putting American Coverage Of The Egypt Crisis To Shame
"The Arabic news channel Al Jazeera is owning the coverage of the unprecedented uprising happening right now in Egypt....
Meet the Team:......."
Rage, rage against counter-revolution
By Pepe Escobar
Asia Times
"The Age of Rage from Northern Africa to the Middle East is not an Islamic revolution, it's a graphic example of grassroots activism against repression, mass unemployment and rising food prices. But at street level in the Egyptian intifada, suspicions are that a United States-orchestrated coup will keep the military in place, even if Mubarak has to go. Expect the counter-revolution to be fierce....
Egypt won't become a working democracy because of lack of political infrastructure. But it has to restart from scratch, with most of the opposition almost as reviled as the regime. The younger generation - empowered by the feeling of being on the right side of history - will be crucial.
They won't accept an optical illusion of regime change that ensures continuous "stability". They won't accept being hijacked by the US and Europe and presented with a new puppet. What they want is the shock of the new; a truly sovereign government, no more neo-liberalism, and a new Middle East political order. Expect the counter-revolution to be fierce. And extending way beyond a few bunkers in Cairo. "
Asia Times
"The Age of Rage from Northern Africa to the Middle East is not an Islamic revolution, it's a graphic example of grassroots activism against repression, mass unemployment and rising food prices. But at street level in the Egyptian intifada, suspicions are that a United States-orchestrated coup will keep the military in place, even if Mubarak has to go. Expect the counter-revolution to be fierce....
Egypt won't become a working democracy because of lack of political infrastructure. But it has to restart from scratch, with most of the opposition almost as reviled as the regime. The younger generation - empowered by the feeling of being on the right side of history - will be crucial.
They won't accept an optical illusion of regime change that ensures continuous "stability". They won't accept being hijacked by the US and Europe and presented with a new puppet. What they want is the shock of the new; a truly sovereign government, no more neo-liberalism, and a new Middle East political order. Expect the counter-revolution to be fierce. And extending way beyond a few bunkers in Cairo. "
Al-Jazeera Video: Prisoners escape Egypt prisons
"Scores of prisoners, possibly in their thousands, have managed to escape from Egyptian jails in the chaos caused by mass protests across the country.
Among those escaped prisoners are some Palestinians from the Gaza Strip."
How much longer can Mubarak cling on?
Robert Fisk reports from Cairo on the protests that refuse to die
".....Yet there were extraordinary scenes earlier in the day between protesters and tank crews of another unit (this time, the machines were older American M-60 Pattons of Vietnam vintage), which appeared to be about to protect a unit of water cannons sent to clear the streets. Hundreds of young men overwhelmed one tank, and when a lieutenant in sun glasses began firing into the air, he was pushed back against his armoured vehicle and had to climb on top to avoid the men. Yet the crowd quickly became good natured, posed for pictures on the tank and handed the soldiers fruit and water.
When a long line of troops assembled across the road, a very old, hunch-backed man sought and gained permission to approach them. I followed him as he embraced the lieutenant and kissed him on both cheeks and said: "You are our sons. We are your people." And then he walked down the row of troops and kissed each one and embraced each one and told each one that he was his son. You need a heart of stone not to be moved by such scenes and yesterday was replete with them....."
".....Yet there were extraordinary scenes earlier in the day between protesters and tank crews of another unit (this time, the machines were older American M-60 Pattons of Vietnam vintage), which appeared to be about to protect a unit of water cannons sent to clear the streets. Hundreds of young men overwhelmed one tank, and when a lieutenant in sun glasses began firing into the air, he was pushed back against his armoured vehicle and had to climb on top to avoid the men. Yet the crowd quickly became good natured, posed for pictures on the tank and handed the soldiers fruit and water.
When a long line of troops assembled across the road, a very old, hunch-backed man sought and gained permission to approach them. I followed him as he embraced the lieutenant and kissed him on both cheeks and said: "You are our sons. We are your people." And then he walked down the row of troops and kissed each one and embraced each one and told each one that he was his son. You need a heart of stone not to be moved by such scenes and yesterday was replete with them....."
Egypt: Desert storm
All now rests on the determination of the people of Egypt. And they have, surely, come too far to retreat
Editorial
The Guardian, Monday 31 January 2011
"Hosni Mubarak has run out of road. This is obvious to all: to the police who have fled the streets, to senior members resigning from the ruling party, and to the millions of Egyptians who have taken over its cities. But not to the president himself. On Saturday he appointed a successor – as if he still had the moral authority to do so. The demonstrators did not budge. Anti-government slogans were sprayed on the side of tanks, with the tacit approval of the conscripts manning them. The curfew kept on being ignored, and yesterday a new name was added to the passenger list of the plane that the crowds hope will fly the regime to Saudi Arabia. It was that of the president's latest appointee.
He is General Omar Suleiman....
There were no signs of the popular protest dimming yesterday, which was supposed to be a day of work.......
Prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu said Israel was watching events closely, as well he might. The US, in full retreat from the position it expressed only a week ago, told Mubarak that shuffling the deck would not be enough, and secretary of state Hillary Clinton yesterday uttered two words that are particularly ominous for him – "orderly transition". However this drama plays out, something quite profound is changing in the Arab world. So often written off, or thought to have been subsumed by Islamism, pan-Arabism is finding voice once again in the shape of this secular protest against dictatorship. A demonstration taking place in Jordan was cut short only by the collective wish of Jordanians to watch al-Jazeera's live coverage of the progress of this potent political force on the streets of Cairo. All now rests on the determination of the people of Egypt. And they have, surely, come too far to retreat."
Editorial
The Guardian, Monday 31 January 2011
"Hosni Mubarak has run out of road. This is obvious to all: to the police who have fled the streets, to senior members resigning from the ruling party, and to the millions of Egyptians who have taken over its cities. But not to the president himself. On Saturday he appointed a successor – as if he still had the moral authority to do so. The demonstrators did not budge. Anti-government slogans were sprayed on the side of tanks, with the tacit approval of the conscripts manning them. The curfew kept on being ignored, and yesterday a new name was added to the passenger list of the plane that the crowds hope will fly the regime to Saudi Arabia. It was that of the president's latest appointee.
He is General Omar Suleiman....
There were no signs of the popular protest dimming yesterday, which was supposed to be a day of work.......
Prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu said Israel was watching events closely, as well he might. The US, in full retreat from the position it expressed only a week ago, told Mubarak that shuffling the deck would not be enough, and secretary of state Hillary Clinton yesterday uttered two words that are particularly ominous for him – "orderly transition". However this drama plays out, something quite profound is changing in the Arab world. So often written off, or thought to have been subsumed by Islamism, pan-Arabism is finding voice once again in the shape of this secular protest against dictatorship. A demonstration taking place in Jordan was cut short only by the collective wish of Jordanians to watch al-Jazeera's live coverage of the progress of this potent political force on the streets of Cairo. All now rests on the determination of the people of Egypt. And they have, surely, come too far to retreat."
In Egypt, we are fearful but not cowed
Egypt's desperate regime is sending message of terror to the people: either Mubarak or the deep blue sea
A GOOD COMMENT
A GOOD COMMENT
Amira Nowaira
guardian.co.uk, Monday 31 January 2011
"After six days of unprecedented protests, Hosni Mubarak and his regime still refuse to go. The fig leaf covering this regime has finally fallen, revealing the ugly naked truth. It is a regime that has worked solely and exclusively for its own survival. The events of the past days show that it is ready to burn the whole country if necessary....
So this is the regime's message of terror to the people: either Mubarak or the deep blue sea. It is becoming clearer by the minute that the regime is fighting for its life and will do whatever it takes to enforce submission, either by cutting off all our means of communication or, if necessary, by stopping the air we breathe.
Egypt has turned into a huge prison-house. I remember always George Orwell's 1984 and Room 101 where dissidents are tortured into submissiveness. I feel that we are already in that room, with rats and unimaginable horrors attacking us. Will we end up crying out "We love you, Big Brother"? I doubt it."
guardian.co.uk, Monday 31 January 2011
"After six days of unprecedented protests, Hosni Mubarak and his regime still refuse to go. The fig leaf covering this regime has finally fallen, revealing the ugly naked truth. It is a regime that has worked solely and exclusively for its own survival. The events of the past days show that it is ready to burn the whole country if necessary....
So this is the regime's message of terror to the people: either Mubarak or the deep blue sea. It is becoming clearer by the minute that the regime is fighting for its life and will do whatever it takes to enforce submission, either by cutting off all our means of communication or, if necessary, by stopping the air we breathe.
Egypt has turned into a huge prison-house. I remember always George Orwell's 1984 and Room 101 where dissidents are tortured into submissiveness. I feel that we are already in that room, with rats and unimaginable horrors attacking us. Will we end up crying out "We love you, Big Brother"? I doubt it."
Tell everyone: Egypt's revolution is sweet and peaceful
No one wants the Muslim Brotherhood to take over, no one wants violence – just elections and a new constitution
Amr Shalakany in Tahrir Square, Cairo
(Amr Shalakany is associate professor of law at the American University in Cairo)
guardian.co.uk, Sunday 30 January 2011
"This is a sweet, sweet revolution; it is peaceful. Tell everyone we are peaceful.
We do not owe this revolution to the Muslim Brotherhood, not to anybody. They say the Ikhwan is more organised – maybe. But this is the people on the street; this is not about any political party. Look, he says, more and more people are coming; Tahrir Square is getting more and more full.
I am sorry, the man tells me, but I hate your president. What is this speech he gives? Why can't he support us? He says we can have human rights but he gives us no political rights? To America, we are monkeys, monkeys, monkeys. We Egyptians don't deserve a constitution, don't deserve freedom, don't deserve democracy.....
The level of demand is high. The people are so aware, they know what they want. The majority of people are happy but some are scared and concerned about what will happen next. No one wants the Muslim Brotherhood to take over, no one wants violence. We are being peaceful, tell them we are being peaceful.
On Thursday night they shut down the internet. Khalas. Tell them we have no contact, no texting, no internet, nothing.
Listen, they are chanting in the streets: "Gamal, Gamal, tell your father we hate you." Are the crowds anti-US, I ask. Not so far, no anti-American sentiments in the crowds. They have brought back the slogan from the 1980s: "Mubarak traitor, agent of Americans."
It's a sweet, peaceful revolution. Tell them. Look, more and more people are coming into Tahrir…
"
Amr Shalakany in Tahrir Square, Cairo
(Amr Shalakany is associate professor of law at the American University in Cairo)
guardian.co.uk, Sunday 30 January 2011
"This is a sweet, sweet revolution; it is peaceful. Tell everyone we are peaceful.
We do not owe this revolution to the Muslim Brotherhood, not to anybody. They say the Ikhwan is more organised – maybe. But this is the people on the street; this is not about any political party. Look, he says, more and more people are coming; Tahrir Square is getting more and more full.
I am sorry, the man tells me, but I hate your president. What is this speech he gives? Why can't he support us? He says we can have human rights but he gives us no political rights? To America, we are monkeys, monkeys, monkeys. We Egyptians don't deserve a constitution, don't deserve freedom, don't deserve democracy.....
The level of demand is high. The people are so aware, they know what they want. The majority of people are happy but some are scared and concerned about what will happen next. No one wants the Muslim Brotherhood to take over, no one wants violence. We are being peaceful, tell them we are being peaceful.
On Thursday night they shut down the internet. Khalas. Tell them we have no contact, no texting, no internet, nothing.
Listen, they are chanting in the streets: "Gamal, Gamal, tell your father we hate you." Are the crowds anti-US, I ask. Not so far, no anti-American sentiments in the crowds. They have brought back the slogan from the 1980s: "Mubarak traitor, agent of Americans."
It's a sweet, peaceful revolution. Tell them. Look, more and more people are coming into Tahrir…
"
Palestinian negotiators must not take key decisions on our behalf
We Palestinians in Israel will not stand for our rights being given away by so-called representatives
Haneen Zoabi
(Haneen Zoabi is a member of the Knesset representing the Balad party)
The Guardian, Monday 31 January 2011
"Had the offer made by "representatives" of the Palestinian people to Israel during peace negotiations – revealed this week in the Palestine papers – been accepted, the resulting agreement would have been in conflict with international law. It would also have had a profound impact on all Palestinians: not only those under occupation or refugees in the diaspora, but also Palestinians like myself – the 1.2 million of us who make up 18% of the population of Israel.
First, giving up the refugees' right of return – as was apparently accepted by the Palestinian negotiators – would mean giving up the demand for the reunification of Palestinian families divided by the nakba, our expulsion from Israel in 1948....
It has been clearly established by the international community that any decisions that have a direct impact on the future status of a national minority must be taken after full consultation, and with their consent – including through a referendum. We therefore reject any proposal that would involve other parties taking such decisions on our behalf.
We, as Palestinian people living inside Israel and on the basis of our historic right and international law, have full right of veto – not only on matters that affect our lives, such as the return of the refugees, the Jewish identity of the state and population exchange, but also on all matters affecting and infringing the rights of the Palestinian people."
Haneen Zoabi
(Haneen Zoabi is a member of the Knesset representing the Balad party)
The Guardian, Monday 31 January 2011
"Had the offer made by "representatives" of the Palestinian people to Israel during peace negotiations – revealed this week in the Palestine papers – been accepted, the resulting agreement would have been in conflict with international law. It would also have had a profound impact on all Palestinians: not only those under occupation or refugees in the diaspora, but also Palestinians like myself – the 1.2 million of us who make up 18% of the population of Israel.
First, giving up the refugees' right of return – as was apparently accepted by the Palestinian negotiators – would mean giving up the demand for the reunification of Palestinian families divided by the nakba, our expulsion from Israel in 1948....
It has been clearly established by the international community that any decisions that have a direct impact on the future status of a national minority must be taken after full consultation, and with their consent – including through a referendum. We therefore reject any proposal that would involve other parties taking such decisions on our behalf.
We, as Palestinian people living inside Israel and on the basis of our historic right and international law, have full right of veto – not only on matters that affect our lives, such as the return of the refugees, the Jewish identity of the state and population exchange, but also on all matters affecting and infringing the rights of the Palestinian people."
Templates for responding to excesses of an ally
By Imran Garda
Al-Jazeera
"Here’s a little help if ambition ever drives you to one day hope to be a spokesman for the US government. Alternately, if decoding why very similar events can be officially responded to in completely dissimilar ways gets you as excited as it gets me - read on.
Secretary of state Hillary Clinton - after the watershed popular uprising in Egypt against Hosni Mubarak’s 30-year, authoritarian rule, where police have gunned down protesters from Cairo to Alexandra - urged "restraint on both sides".
The post-election crackdown in Iran in 2009, involving fewer cities, fewer protesters, and arguably less heavy-handed firepower from the government, provoked this warning from US president Barack Obama: "The Iranian government must understand that the world is watching...”
And as Churchillian in his eloquence as he always has been, he added:
"We mourn each and every innocent life that is lost. We call on the Iranian government to stop all violent and unjust actions against its own people. The universal rights to assembly and free speech must be respected, and the United States stands with all who seek to exercise those rights."
State department spokesman PJ Crowley was similarly eloquent about Egypt with, "we want to see restraint on both sides"... or maybe not....."
Al-Jazeera
"Here’s a little help if ambition ever drives you to one day hope to be a spokesman for the US government. Alternately, if decoding why very similar events can be officially responded to in completely dissimilar ways gets you as excited as it gets me - read on.
Secretary of state Hillary Clinton - after the watershed popular uprising in Egypt against Hosni Mubarak’s 30-year, authoritarian rule, where police have gunned down protesters from Cairo to Alexandra - urged "restraint on both sides".
The post-election crackdown in Iran in 2009, involving fewer cities, fewer protesters, and arguably less heavy-handed firepower from the government, provoked this warning from US president Barack Obama: "The Iranian government must understand that the world is watching...”
And as Churchillian in his eloquence as he always has been, he added:
"We mourn each and every innocent life that is lost. We call on the Iranian government to stop all violent and unjust actions against its own people. The universal rights to assembly and free speech must be respected, and the United States stands with all who seek to exercise those rights."
State department spokesman PJ Crowley was similarly eloquent about Egypt with, "we want to see restraint on both sides"... or maybe not....."
'Mega protest' planned in Egypt
Opposition movement calls for one "million people demonstration" on Tuesday in a bid to topple president Hosni Mubarak.
Al-Jazeera
"Egyptian protesters have called for a massive demonstration on Tuesday in a bid to force out president Hosni Mubarak from power.
The so-called April 6 Movement said it plans to have more than a million people on the streets of the capital Cairo, as anti-government sentiment reaches a fever pitch.
Several hundred demonstrators remained camped out in Tahrir Square in central Cairo overnight, defying a curfew that has been extended by the army.
Thousands were back on the square by mid-day on Monday, chanting anti-government slogans. This as heavy military presence was seen in many parts of the capital.
One of Al Jazeera's correspondents said the military's attempts to block access to the square on Monday by closing roads was not working as more people were arriving in a steady stream.
"Protesters say they'll stay in this square for as long as Mubarak stays in power," she said....."
Al-Jazeera
"Egyptian protesters have called for a massive demonstration on Tuesday in a bid to force out president Hosni Mubarak from power.
The so-called April 6 Movement said it plans to have more than a million people on the streets of the capital Cairo, as anti-government sentiment reaches a fever pitch.
Several hundred demonstrators remained camped out in Tahrir Square in central Cairo overnight, defying a curfew that has been extended by the army.
Thousands were back on the square by mid-day on Monday, chanting anti-government slogans. This as heavy military presence was seen in many parts of the capital.
One of Al Jazeera's correspondents said the military's attempts to block access to the square on Monday by closing roads was not working as more people were arriving in a steady stream.
"Protesters say they'll stay in this square for as long as Mubarak stays in power," she said....."
Israel to the Rescue of the Pharaoh: Israel urges world to curb criticism of Egypt's Mubarak
(A man in Cairo holds a sketch portraying Hosni Mubarak with a Star of David on his forehead, January 30, 2011. The caption reads: '30 years of devastation and treason,')
Jerusalem seeks to convince its allies that it is in the West's interest to maintain the stability of the Egyptian regime.
HAARETZ
"Israel called on the United States and a number of European countries over the weekend to curb their criticism of President Hosni Mubarak to preserve stability in the region.
Jerusalem seeks to convince its allies that it is in the West's interest to maintain the stability of the Egyptian regime. The diplomatic measures came after statements in Western capitals implying that the United States and European Union supported Mubarak's ouster...."
HAARETZ
"Israel called on the United States and a number of European countries over the weekend to curb their criticism of President Hosni Mubarak to preserve stability in the region.
Jerusalem seeks to convince its allies that it is in the West's interest to maintain the stability of the Egyptian regime. The diplomatic measures came after statements in Western capitals implying that the United States and European Union supported Mubarak's ouster...."
MOSSAD Station Chief, Suleiman, Gets His Instructions Directly From Netanyahu.
اتصالات بين مكتب نتنياهو وعمر سليمان
عرب 48تاريخ النشر: 31/01/2011 - ساعة النشر: 12:09
نقلت صحيفة "معاريف" اليوم عن مصادر رفيعة المستوى قولها إن مسؤولين في مكتب رئيس الوزراء الإسرائيلي أجروا في الآونة الأخيرة اتصالات مع عمر سليمان، الذي عُين أول أمس نائبا للرئيس المصري. الخلفية للحديث هي الحاجة إلى التنسيق الأمني الجاري المتعلق بعدة مسائل – بما فيها نقل الوسائل القتالية عبر الأنفاق على حدود مصر – غزة.
وقالت المصادر إن الإتصالات التي وصفت بالطارئة هدفت إلى لفت الانتباه المصري إلى الفوضى وفقدان السيطرة على "أعمال التهريب في الأنفاق الى قطاع غزة".
....
يعتبر سليمان أحد أصدقاء إسرائيل الكبار في النظام المصري وكان مسؤولا عن الحوار الأمني"الحميم" بين الدولتين. وبصفته وزير المخابرات في الحكومة المصرية، كان سليمان مسؤولا ضمن أمور أخرى عن ملف جلعاد شليط وتهريب السلاح في الأنفاق ومكافحة ما يوصف بـ"الإرهاب" والمفاوضات بين إسرائيل والسلطة الفلسطينية، بل إنه كان يفترض أن يزور إسرائيل هذا اأاسبوع، إلا أن الأحداث في مصر قادته إلى مكان آخر، وفي هذه اللحظة أُلغيت الزيارة.
"
عرب 48تاريخ النشر: 31/01/2011 - ساعة النشر: 12:09
نقلت صحيفة "معاريف" اليوم عن مصادر رفيعة المستوى قولها إن مسؤولين في مكتب رئيس الوزراء الإسرائيلي أجروا في الآونة الأخيرة اتصالات مع عمر سليمان، الذي عُين أول أمس نائبا للرئيس المصري. الخلفية للحديث هي الحاجة إلى التنسيق الأمني الجاري المتعلق بعدة مسائل – بما فيها نقل الوسائل القتالية عبر الأنفاق على حدود مصر – غزة.
وقالت المصادر إن الإتصالات التي وصفت بالطارئة هدفت إلى لفت الانتباه المصري إلى الفوضى وفقدان السيطرة على "أعمال التهريب في الأنفاق الى قطاع غزة".
....
يعتبر سليمان أحد أصدقاء إسرائيل الكبار في النظام المصري وكان مسؤولا عن الحوار الأمني"الحميم" بين الدولتين. وبصفته وزير المخابرات في الحكومة المصرية، كان سليمان مسؤولا ضمن أمور أخرى عن ملف جلعاد شليط وتهريب السلاح في الأنفاق ومكافحة ما يوصف بـ"الإرهاب" والمفاوضات بين إسرائيل والسلطة الفلسطينية، بل إنه كان يفترض أن يزور إسرائيل هذا اأاسبوع، إلا أن الأحداث في مصر قادته إلى مكان آخر، وفي هذه اللحظة أُلغيت الزيارة.
"
An Update on the Current Al-Jazeera (Arabic) Online Poll
Now, and just 3 days later, 206,000 have responded! I have never seen a poll on this scale on Al-Jazeera.
It shows that the revolution in Egypt remains, by far, the most riveting story for all Arabs.
Now, even a larger percentage (86%) feel that the Egyptians will succeed in their demands.
Now, even a larger percentage (86%) feel that the Egyptians will succeed in their demands.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Cyprus Recognizes Independent Palestinian State
Cyprus announced Sunday that it recognizes a Palestinian State in the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital. Cyprus is the first European Union member country that officially recognizes the Palestinian right to statehood .The official Greek recognition came in a latter handed by its president Dmitri Christofias to the Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas.
The letters also confirmed the historic and close ties with the Palestinian people. It also called for a peaceful solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict in which a democratic and viable Palestinian state can be established with East Jerusalem as its capital.
The letter also stated that Cyprus will not recognize any Israeli changes to the geography and demography of the occupied Palestinian territories, including in occupied East Jerusalem.
What a Loser! The Coptic Church Patriarch (Shannouda) Declares Support for the Pharaoh! All the Religious Leaders are $$Bought$$; TFU!
البابا شنودة يعلن تأييده للرئيس المصري حسني مبارك
"القاهرة ـ أعلن البابا شنودة بابا الإسكندرية وبطريرك الكرازة المرقسية الأحد عن تأييده للرئيس المصري حسني مبارك.
وقال البابا في تصريح للتلفزيون المصري الرسمي "اتصلنا بالرئيس وقلنا له كلنا معا والشعب معه فليحفظه الله لمصر".
وأضاف "آلمني ما شهدته من تجاوزات خلال الأيام الماضية ... ونحن ننتظر ان يعود الآلاف من الشوارع والمدن..كلنا بانتظار مستقبل أفضل".
...."
"القاهرة ـ أعلن البابا شنودة بابا الإسكندرية وبطريرك الكرازة المرقسية الأحد عن تأييده للرئيس المصري حسني مبارك.
وقال البابا في تصريح للتلفزيون المصري الرسمي "اتصلنا بالرئيس وقلنا له كلنا معا والشعب معه فليحفظه الله لمصر".
وأضاف "آلمني ما شهدته من تجاوزات خلال الأيام الماضية ... ونحن ننتظر ان يعود الآلاف من الشوارع والمدن..كلنا بانتظار مستقبل أفضل".
...."
مصادر موثوقة لعرب 48: السفير المصري غادر تل أبيب
Egyptian Ambassador in Tel-Aviv Has Left!
"أكدت مصادر موثوقة لموقع عرب 48 أن السفير المصري في تل أبيب، ياسر رضا، غادر اسرائيل الى القاهرة أمس السبت، على خلفية التطورات الأخيرة في مصر على ما يبدو.
وقالت المصادر إن مغادرة السفير المصري برفقة عدد من العاملين من السفارة تمت بسرية تامة ودون تحديد اهداف مغادرته وموعد عودته.
وقد يسبب غياب السفير المصري الى خلل في الإتصالات بين تل أبيب والقاهرة في هذه الفترة الحساسة، على الرغم من ان الإتصالات على مستوى القيادات تجري مباشرة بين مكتب رئيس الوزراء الإسرائيلية والرئاسة المصرية.
وياسر رضا هو السفير المصري الرابع لدى إسرائيل منذ إقامة العلاقات الدبلوماسية بين البلدين عام 1979.
"
"أكدت مصادر موثوقة لموقع عرب 48 أن السفير المصري في تل أبيب، ياسر رضا، غادر اسرائيل الى القاهرة أمس السبت، على خلفية التطورات الأخيرة في مصر على ما يبدو.
وقالت المصادر إن مغادرة السفير المصري برفقة عدد من العاملين من السفارة تمت بسرية تامة ودون تحديد اهداف مغادرته وموعد عودته.
وقد يسبب غياب السفير المصري الى خلل في الإتصالات بين تل أبيب والقاهرة في هذه الفترة الحساسة، على الرغم من ان الإتصالات على مستوى القيادات تجري مباشرة بين مكتب رئيس الوزراء الإسرائيلية والرئاسة المصرية.
وياسر رضا هو السفير المصري الرابع لدى إسرائيل منذ إقامة العلاقات الدبلوماسية بين البلدين عام 1979.
"
Live From the Egyptian Revolution
by Sharif Abdel Kouddous
Democracy Now!
"Cairo, Egypt—I grew up in Egypt. I spent half my life here. But Saturday, when my plane from JFK airport touched down in Cairo, I arrived in a different country than the one I had known all my life. This is not Hosni Mubarak’s Egypt anymore and, regardless of what happens, it will never be again.
In Tahrir Square, thousands of Egyptians–men and women, young and old, rich and poor–gathered today to celebrate their victory over the regime’s hated police and state security forces and to call on Mubarak to step down and leave once and for all...."
Democracy Now!
"Cairo, Egypt—I grew up in Egypt. I spent half my life here. But Saturday, when my plane from JFK airport touched down in Cairo, I arrived in a different country than the one I had known all my life. This is not Hosni Mubarak’s Egypt anymore and, regardless of what happens, it will never be again.
In Tahrir Square, thousands of Egyptians–men and women, young and old, rich and poor–gathered today to celebrate their victory over the regime’s hated police and state security forces and to call on Mubarak to step down and leave once and for all...."
Real News Video: Roots of the Egyptian Revolutionary Moment
Ezzeldin: Egyptian uprising is the product of years of worker's strikes and student protests - now inspired by the Tunisian people
AN EXCELLENT VIDEO
AN EXCELLENT VIDEO
Real News Video: Egyptian and Tunisian People vs US Dominance
Phyllis Bennis: US supported states and regional domination shaken by people's uprisings
ANOTHER EXCELLENT VIDEO
ANOTHER EXCELLENT VIDEO
Egypt protests: Hosni Mubarak in frantic bid to cling on to power
President appoints intelligence chief to vice-president post as streets ring out to cry of 'Mubarak, your plane is ready'
Peter Beaumont and Jack Shenker in Cairo and Paul Harris in New York
The Observer, Sunday 30 January 2011
"Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak was desperately trying to cling to power last night as troops opened fire in an attempt to keep tens of thousands of protesters from storming the interior ministry and state-run television and radio stations.
The president's attempt to mollify the demonstrators by sacking his government 24 hours earlier had failed and the leader of the largest Arab nation was facing an ignoble and violent end to his 30 years in power. The streets rang out with anti-government slogans and the cry "Mubarak, your plane is ready"......"
Peter Beaumont and Jack Shenker in Cairo and Paul Harris in New York
The Observer, Sunday 30 January 2011
"Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak was desperately trying to cling to power last night as troops opened fire in an attempt to keep tens of thousands of protesters from storming the interior ministry and state-run television and radio stations.
The president's attempt to mollify the demonstrators by sacking his government 24 hours earlier had failed and the leader of the largest Arab nation was facing an ignoble and violent end to his 30 years in power. The streets rang out with anti-government slogans and the cry "Mubarak, your plane is ready"......"
'Mubarak must fall' – all across Cairo the protesters' message is the same
Sacrificing government ministers is not enough: for the people to be satisfied, the president must be deposed
Peter Beaumont and Jack Shenker in Cairo
Peter Beaumont and Jack Shenker in Cairo
The Observer, Sunday 30 January 2011
"As evening fell across central Cairo's Tahrir Square, a black cloud of smoke welled in the distance from close to the interior ministry. The sound of shots rang out. First one. Then bursts. Then more shots: live rounds, rubber baton rounds, and gas.
If it was intended to frighten the crowds who had milled around the square all day, it seemed by early evening to have failed. "I've just been hit. They're shooting live ammunition at us. I can see blood on the floor," said veteran Egyptian activist Ahmed Salah, who had been hit by pellets and spoke to the Observer on the phone.
But he remained undaunted: "If we persist, then Hosni Mubarak will surely leave."
Yesterday, just as it has been for the past five days, Tahrir Square was the new centre of the surging revolution that has seized the Arab world.
Far from being cowed or placated, the thousands of protesters were instead determined to hold their ground. Determined – as they have been for days – to insist on the removal of Mubarak, Egypt's president for three decades. In Cairo it was scrawled across walls and written over statues: "Mubarak must fall."
As Egypt erupted in a fifth day of dissent and popular anger, the square nursed its wounds of revolution – as did the people, bandaged and bruised, who turned up to fill it again...."
"As evening fell across central Cairo's Tahrir Square, a black cloud of smoke welled in the distance from close to the interior ministry. The sound of shots rang out. First one. Then bursts. Then more shots: live rounds, rubber baton rounds, and gas.
If it was intended to frighten the crowds who had milled around the square all day, it seemed by early evening to have failed. "I've just been hit. They're shooting live ammunition at us. I can see blood on the floor," said veteran Egyptian activist Ahmed Salah, who had been hit by pellets and spoke to the Observer on the phone.
But he remained undaunted: "If we persist, then Hosni Mubarak will surely leave."
Yesterday, just as it has been for the past five days, Tahrir Square was the new centre of the surging revolution that has seized the Arab world.
Far from being cowed or placated, the thousands of protesters were instead determined to hold their ground. Determined – as they have been for days – to insist on the removal of Mubarak, Egypt's president for three decades. In Cairo it was scrawled across walls and written over statues: "Mubarak must fall."
As Egypt erupted in a fifth day of dissent and popular anger, the square nursed its wounds of revolution – as did the people, bandaged and bruised, who turned up to fill it again...."
Mubarak's dictatorship must end now
It is in the interest of autocratic Arab nations to note the mood in Egypt and effect change
A Good Editorial
The Observer, Sunday 30 January 2011
"Days of rage in Egypt signify the end of days for Hosni Mubarak's repressive and bankrupt regime. For 30 years, the president has held his country down through fear, secret police, emergency laws, American cash subsidies and a lamentable absence of vision and imagination. His crude, Gaullist message: without me, chaos. Now the chaos has come anyway. And Mubarak must go.
Five days of rage on the streets of Cairo, Alexandria, Suez and dozens of other cities have transformed the way Egypt sees itself. For years, they said it was impossible. The regime was too powerful, the masses too apathetic, the security apparatus too ubiquitous. Like eastern Europeans trapped in the Soviet Union's cold, pre-1991 embrace, they struggled in the dark, without help, without hope. Movements for change, such as Kefaya (Enough!), were brutally suppressed. Courageous dissidents such as Ayman Nour were harassed, beaten and imprisoned.
Yet all the time, pressure for reform was rising. Every day, higher prices, economic stagnation, poverty and unemployment, political stasis, official corruption and a stifled, censored public space became less and less tolerable. Every day, impatience with the regime's insulting insouciance bred more enemies. Hatred seeped like poison through the veins of the people. Until, at last, in five days of rage, as if as one, they cried: "Enough!" And now, Mubarak must go.
Fittingly, Egypt's youth led the way against the old order, using not guns or bombs but the arsenal of 21st-century information technology: social media, mobiles, texts and emails. The Paris mob of Bastille notoriety became, through peaceful evolution, the flash mob of Tahrir Square. They espoused no leaders. They wrote no plans. In fast-moving, separate but interconnected street offensives, they out-thought, outfoxed and outran the police.
With the once omnipotent security forces looking beatable, Egyptians of all backgrounds rose to join the fight: students, trade unionists, women, rights activists, Islamists and, crucially, the great workers' army of Egypt's employed and unemployed. Here, truly, was people power in all its magnificent might. Here was democracy in the raw. Here was the legitimacy of an Egypt freed of its old fears and suddenly alive to its changing destiny. In five days of rage, they seized control of their country's future. And so, inevitably, Mubarak must go.
It is clear that Mubarak does not share this view.....
For western countries, particularly the US, the paymaster of the Mubarak regime, a radical new approach is also now required....
As Palestine fractures under the weight of revelations about secret negotiations with Israel, as shaky Lebanon faces a new Hezbollah-led government, and as Iran crows over what it hopes will be the domino collapse of the "apostate" regimes, the US takes fright at a world unravelling beyond its control....
.... should take inspiration from the brave people of Egypt. They have shown the way. In five days of rage, they overcame their fears, broke with the old ways and made a glorious, chaotic yet purposeful lunge for a future full of hope for all. They made a reality of democracy. Now they must make their choice freely. So, first, Mubarak must go."
A Good Editorial
The Observer, Sunday 30 January 2011
"Days of rage in Egypt signify the end of days for Hosni Mubarak's repressive and bankrupt regime. For 30 years, the president has held his country down through fear, secret police, emergency laws, American cash subsidies and a lamentable absence of vision and imagination. His crude, Gaullist message: without me, chaos. Now the chaos has come anyway. And Mubarak must go.
Five days of rage on the streets of Cairo, Alexandria, Suez and dozens of other cities have transformed the way Egypt sees itself. For years, they said it was impossible. The regime was too powerful, the masses too apathetic, the security apparatus too ubiquitous. Like eastern Europeans trapped in the Soviet Union's cold, pre-1991 embrace, they struggled in the dark, without help, without hope. Movements for change, such as Kefaya (Enough!), were brutally suppressed. Courageous dissidents such as Ayman Nour were harassed, beaten and imprisoned.
Yet all the time, pressure for reform was rising. Every day, higher prices, economic stagnation, poverty and unemployment, political stasis, official corruption and a stifled, censored public space became less and less tolerable. Every day, impatience with the regime's insulting insouciance bred more enemies. Hatred seeped like poison through the veins of the people. Until, at last, in five days of rage, as if as one, they cried: "Enough!" And now, Mubarak must go.
Fittingly, Egypt's youth led the way against the old order, using not guns or bombs but the arsenal of 21st-century information technology: social media, mobiles, texts and emails. The Paris mob of Bastille notoriety became, through peaceful evolution, the flash mob of Tahrir Square. They espoused no leaders. They wrote no plans. In fast-moving, separate but interconnected street offensives, they out-thought, outfoxed and outran the police.
With the once omnipotent security forces looking beatable, Egyptians of all backgrounds rose to join the fight: students, trade unionists, women, rights activists, Islamists and, crucially, the great workers' army of Egypt's employed and unemployed. Here, truly, was people power in all its magnificent might. Here was democracy in the raw. Here was the legitimacy of an Egypt freed of its old fears and suddenly alive to its changing destiny. In five days of rage, they seized control of their country's future. And so, inevitably, Mubarak must go.
It is clear that Mubarak does not share this view.....
For western countries, particularly the US, the paymaster of the Mubarak regime, a radical new approach is also now required....
As Palestine fractures under the weight of revelations about secret negotiations with Israel, as shaky Lebanon faces a new Hezbollah-led government, and as Iran crows over what it hopes will be the domino collapse of the "apostate" regimes, the US takes fright at a world unravelling beyond its control....
.... should take inspiration from the brave people of Egypt. They have shown the way. In five days of rage, they overcame their fears, broke with the old ways and made a glorious, chaotic yet purposeful lunge for a future full of hope for all. They made a reality of democracy. Now they must make their choice freely. So, first, Mubarak must go."
Egypt: Death throes of a dictatorship
Our writer joins protesters atop a Cairo tank as the army shows signs of backing the people against Mubarak's regime
A VERY GOOD COMMENT
By Robert Fisk
"The Egyptian tanks, the delirious protesters sitting atop them, the flags, the 40,000 protesters weeping and crying and cheering in Freedom Square and praying around them, the Muslim Brotherhood official sitting amid the tank passengers. Should this be compared to the liberation of Bucharest? Climbing on to an American-made battle tank myself, I could only remember those wonderful films of the liberation of Paris. A few hundred metres away, Hosni Mubarak's black-uniformed security police were still firing at demonstrators near the interior ministry. It was a wild, historical victory celebration, Mubarak's own tanks freeing his capital from his own dictatorship.
In the pantomime world of Mubarak himself – and of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton in Washington – the man who still claims to be president of Egypt swore in the most preposterous choice of vice-president in an attempt to soften the fury of the protesters – Omar Suleiman, Egypt's chief negotiator with Israel and his senior intelligence officer, a 75-year-old with years of visits to Tel Aviv and Jerusalem and four heart attacks to his credit. How this elderly apparatchik might be expected to deal with the anger and joy of liberation of 80 million Egyptians is beyond imagination. When I told the demonstrators on the tank around me the news of Suleiman's appointment, they burst into laughter.
....However crazed Mubarak's choice of vice-president and his gradual appointment of a powerless new government of cronies, the streets of Cairo proved what the United States and EU leaders have simply failed to grasp. It is over.......
A VERY GOOD COMMENT
By Robert Fisk
"The Egyptian tanks, the delirious protesters sitting atop them, the flags, the 40,000 protesters weeping and crying and cheering in Freedom Square and praying around them, the Muslim Brotherhood official sitting amid the tank passengers. Should this be compared to the liberation of Bucharest? Climbing on to an American-made battle tank myself, I could only remember those wonderful films of the liberation of Paris. A few hundred metres away, Hosni Mubarak's black-uniformed security police were still firing at demonstrators near the interior ministry. It was a wild, historical victory celebration, Mubarak's own tanks freeing his capital from his own dictatorship.
In the pantomime world of Mubarak himself – and of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton in Washington – the man who still claims to be president of Egypt swore in the most preposterous choice of vice-president in an attempt to soften the fury of the protesters – Omar Suleiman, Egypt's chief negotiator with Israel and his senior intelligence officer, a 75-year-old with years of visits to Tel Aviv and Jerusalem and four heart attacks to his credit. How this elderly apparatchik might be expected to deal with the anger and joy of liberation of 80 million Egyptians is beyond imagination. When I told the demonstrators on the tank around me the news of Suleiman's appointment, they burst into laughter.
....However crazed Mubarak's choice of vice-president and his gradual appointment of a powerless new government of cronies, the streets of Cairo proved what the United States and EU leaders have simply failed to grasp. It is over.......
...For there are growing suspicions that much of the looting and arson was carried out by plainclothes cops – including the murder of 11 men in a rural village in the past 24 hours – in an attempt to destroy the integrity of the protesters campaigning to throw Mubarak out of power. The destruction of a number of communications centres by masked men – which must have been co-ordinated by some form of institution – has also raised suspicions that the plainclothes thugs who beat many of the demonstrators were to blame.....
....Again, it must be added that there were rumours before the discovery that police caused this vandalism before they fled the museum on Friday night. Ghastly shades of the Baghdad museum in 2003. It wasn't as bad as that looting, but it was a most awful archeological disaster.....
...Indeed, Obama's own response – about the need for reforms and an end to such violence – was an exact copy of all the lies Mubarak has been using to defend his regime for three decades. It was deeply amusing to Egyptians that Obama – in Cairo itself, after his election – had urged Arabs to grasp freedom and democracy. These aspirations disappeared entirely when he gave his tacit if uncomfortable support to the Egyptian president on Friday. The problem is the usual one: the lines of power and the lines of morality in Washington fail to intersect when US presidents have to deal with the Middle East. Moral leadership in America ceases to exist when the Arab and Israeli worlds have to be confronted.....
So the "liberation" of Cairo – where, grimly, there came news last night of the looting of the Qasr al-Aini hospital – has yet to run its full course. The end may be clear. The tragedy is not over."
Egypt's military in a quandary
Al Jazeera's senior analyst Marwan Bishara sheds light on what the military is likely to do.
Marwan Bishara
"As Egypt continues to unravel under the pressure of a popular uprising against the Hosni Mubarak government, we look at the role of its military as the guardian of sovereignty and national security.
Where is Egypt heading after days of revolt?
Clearly the way forward is not the way back. But since President Mubarak has opted for more the same old and bankrupt ways of dealing with national uprising, making promises of change and cosmetic alteration to governance essentially, all now depends on the momentum of the popular uprising and the role of the military.
Mubarak's attempts to delegitimise the popular revolt as isolated incidents exploited by Islamists has fallen on deaf ears at home and abroad. As the revolt continues to expand and gain momentum in major Egyptian cities and protestors demand no less than the removal of his regime, it's now the military's choice to allow for the change to be peaceful or violent.
So far, it has opted for merely policing the streets without confronting the demonstrators, whether this will turn into a Tiananmen scenario of tough crackdown or not, will be decided in the next few hours or days.
But Egypt is not China, and it could hardly afford such national confrontation.
But what else can the military do?
The Egyptian military could follow the Tunisian military by refusing orders to shoot at demonstrators or impose the curfew.
The military can replace Mubarak with a temporary emergency governing council or leave it for civilian opposition groups to form government in consultation with the military......"
Marwan Bishara
"As Egypt continues to unravel under the pressure of a popular uprising against the Hosni Mubarak government, we look at the role of its military as the guardian of sovereignty and national security.
Where is Egypt heading after days of revolt?
Clearly the way forward is not the way back. But since President Mubarak has opted for more the same old and bankrupt ways of dealing with national uprising, making promises of change and cosmetic alteration to governance essentially, all now depends on the momentum of the popular uprising and the role of the military.
Mubarak's attempts to delegitimise the popular revolt as isolated incidents exploited by Islamists has fallen on deaf ears at home and abroad. As the revolt continues to expand and gain momentum in major Egyptian cities and protestors demand no less than the removal of his regime, it's now the military's choice to allow for the change to be peaceful or violent.
So far, it has opted for merely policing the streets without confronting the demonstrators, whether this will turn into a Tiananmen scenario of tough crackdown or not, will be decided in the next few hours or days.
But Egypt is not China, and it could hardly afford such national confrontation.
But what else can the military do?
The Egyptian military could follow the Tunisian military by refusing orders to shoot at demonstrators or impose the curfew.
The military can replace Mubarak with a temporary emergency governing council or leave it for civilian opposition groups to form government in consultation with the military......"
Egypt shuts down Al Jazeera bureau
Network's licences cancelled and accreditation of staff in Cairo withdrawn by order of information minister
"The Egyptian authorities are revoking the Al Jazeera Network's licence to broadcast from the country, and will be shutting down its bureau office in Cairo, state television has said.
"The information minister [Anas al-Fikki] ordered ... suspension of operations of Al Jazeera, cancelling of its licences and withdrawing accreditation to all its staff as of today," a statement on the official Mena news agency said on Sunday.
In a statement, Al Jazeera said it strongly denounces and condemns the closure of its bureau in Cairo by the Egyptian government. The network received notification from the Egyptian authorities on Sunday morning.
"Al Jazeera has received widespread global acclaim for their coverage on the ground across the length and breadth of Egypt," the statement said.
An Al Jazeera spokesman said that the company would continue its strong coverage regardless.
'Designed to stifle'
"Al Jazeera sees this as an act designed to stifle and repress the freedom of reporting by the network and its journalists," the statement said.
"In this time of deep turmoil and unrest in Egyptian society it is imperative that voices from all sides be heard; the closing of our bureau by the Egyptian government is aimed at censoring and silencing the voices of the Egyptian people.
"Al Jazeera assures its audiences in Egypt and across the world that it will continue its in-depth and comprehensive reporting on the events unfolding in Egypt.
"Al Jazeera journalists have brought unparallelled reporting from the ground from across Egypt in the face of great danger and extraordinary circumstances. Al Jazeera Network is appalled at this latest attack by the Egyptian regime to strike at its freedom to report independently on the unprecedented events in Egypt.""
"The Egyptian authorities are revoking the Al Jazeera Network's licence to broadcast from the country, and will be shutting down its bureau office in Cairo, state television has said.
"The information minister [Anas al-Fikki] ordered ... suspension of operations of Al Jazeera, cancelling of its licences and withdrawing accreditation to all its staff as of today," a statement on the official Mena news agency said on Sunday.
In a statement, Al Jazeera said it strongly denounces and condemns the closure of its bureau in Cairo by the Egyptian government. The network received notification from the Egyptian authorities on Sunday morning.
"Al Jazeera has received widespread global acclaim for their coverage on the ground across the length and breadth of Egypt," the statement said.
An Al Jazeera spokesman said that the company would continue its strong coverage regardless.
'Designed to stifle'
"Al Jazeera sees this as an act designed to stifle and repress the freedom of reporting by the network and its journalists," the statement said.
"In this time of deep turmoil and unrest in Egyptian society it is imperative that voices from all sides be heard; the closing of our bureau by the Egyptian government is aimed at censoring and silencing the voices of the Egyptian people.
"Al Jazeera assures its audiences in Egypt and across the world that it will continue its in-depth and comprehensive reporting on the events unfolding in Egypt.
"Al Jazeera journalists have brought unparallelled reporting from the ground from across Egypt in the face of great danger and extraordinary circumstances. Al Jazeera Network is appalled at this latest attack by the Egyptian regime to strike at its freedom to report independently on the unprecedented events in Egypt.""
Cairo's neighbourhood patrols
Citizens forced to set up security groups to guard against looters in absence of police.
"Police appear to have withdrawn from many parts of the Egyptian capital and it is the people who now own the streets.
Locals armed with sticks and knives are setting up their own neighbourhood security groups to protect their homes and property.
Al Jazeera's Jacky Rowland reports from Nasr City in Cairo."
"Police appear to have withdrawn from many parts of the Egyptian capital and it is the people who now own the streets.
Locals armed with sticks and knives are setting up their own neighbourhood security groups to protect their homes and property.
Al Jazeera's Jacky Rowland reports from Nasr City in Cairo."
Please Meet the Pharaoh's Preferred and Selected Replacement
If You Are Confused, He is the One on the Left.
He is Highly Qualified, with Impressive Resume:
The CIA and MOSSAD Station Chief in Cairo....
Supervised the Torture and Oppression of Egyptians for so Long.....
Helped the US in the "Rendition" and Torture of Suspects in Egypt As a Part Time Job...
And Much, Much More.
He is Obama's Favorite Choice.
How Can the Egyptian People Not be Thrilled?
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