POLITICS | 04.02.2011
Protesters prepare for 'Day of Departure' rallies in Egypt
Egyptian protesters were massing Friday for sweeping "Day of Departure" demonstrations to force President Hosni Mubarak to quit after he said he would like to step down but fears ensuing chaos.
Thousands who had bunkered down for the night in Cairo's Tahrir Square, focal point of an unprecedented uprising against Mubarak now in its 11th day, were joined from early morning by protesters who began streaming in from across the city.
Embattled President Mubarak said Thursday that if he stepped down now the country would be plunged into chaos. In an interview with US network ABC, Mubarak said he was "fed up" with ruling Egypt, but feared the consequences of leaving office.
"After 62 year in public service, I have had enough. I want to go," he said. "I don’t care what people say about me. Right now, I care about my country, I care about Egypt."
"If I resign today, there will be chaos," he added. According to the report, Mubarak remained holed up in the presidential palace in Cairo with his family, heavily guarded by troops, tanks and barbed wire.
Power politics
The US is said to be discussing various scenarios with the Egyptian regime for a swift transition of power, including Mubarak's immediate departure.
"We have discussed with the Egyptians a variety of different ways to move that process forward, but all of those decisions must be made by the Egyptian people," Tommy Vietor, spokesman for the White House National Security Council, said.
Suleiman became Mubarak's first-ever deputyThe New York Times reported that one such proposal would see power being handed over to a transitional government backed by the military and headed by Vice President Omar Suleiman. In an interview broadcast on state TV on Thursday, Suleiman ruled himself out as a presidential candidate for the planned September elections. He also said that he had invited the banned opposition group Muslim Brotherhood to talks between the regime and opposition parties aimed at ending the bloody standoff.Eight more people were reported killed in the violence, bringing the total since Wednesday to 13. Over 1,200 others were injured in the running battles overnight.
There were also reports that foreign journalists in Cairo were increasingly becoming the targets of intimidation by Egyptian authorities. Arab broadcaster Al-Jazeera said pro-Mubarak demonstrators had chased down one of its correspondents, while CNN correspondent Anderson Cooper reported he and his camera crew had been attacked by government supporters near Tahrir Square. British broadcaster BBC, Polish network TVP and France's BFM TV also reported harassment.
International concern
UN chief Ban Ki-moon on Thursday called the attacks on journalists and human rights workers "outrageous and totally unacceptable". Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Spain also released a joint statement condemning the violence.
The leaders of France, Germany, Britain, Italy and Spain on Thursday issued a joint statement voicing their concern about the escalation in Egypt. "We are observing a deterioration of the situation in Egypt with extreme concern. Only a rapid and orderly transition towards a broadly representative government will allow Egypt to overcome the challenges it is facing."
Merkel and Zapatero called for a new start in Egypt
Merkel and Zapatero called for a new start in EgyptAt a joint news conference in Madrid, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero called on Mubarak to listen to the protesters and their aspirations. "Those who want democratic reform must be heard. I spoke to the president of Egypt and asked him to start this dialogue. There must be a new start in Egypt, there must be change," Merkel said.
Author: Rob Mudge, Darren Mara (dpa, AFP, Reuters)
Editor: Andreas Illmer
Editor: Andreas Illmer
dw
Comments