Egyptian protesters angered by threat from military
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| Egyptians remained defiant in Tahrir square against the military rulers |
Cairo (dpa) - Protesters were angered by Egypt's military rulers Tuesday, describing their latest statement - calling for an end to the sit-in on Tahrir Square - as a threat.
A spokesman for the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, which has been running the country since February, has issued a stern warning in a televised address against "harming public interests."
He was referring to threats by protesters to escalate their sit-in, as well as their decision to shut down Egypt’s largest administrative building in Tahrir square.
"We will not accept any kind of threats or humiliation," the opposition April 6 Youth Movement said.
"We hoped that the council would focus on achieving people's demands ... We urge them to give us a convincing reason why they are not inclined to meet these demands," the group added.
Hundreds of protesters in Cairo's Tahrir square expressed their disgust at the council, despite some fresh compromises seen as concessions to quell demonstrations.
The Supreme Judicial Council announced Tuesday it will allow one television camera into each court session for the trials of former officials. Large screens will also be put outside the court houses for people outside to watch.
Making the proceedings of the trials open to the public was one of the main demands of protesters calling for more transparency.
Many former ministers are facing corruption charges. While dozens of policemen, along with former interior minister Habib al-Adli and ousted president Hosny Mubarak, are accused of killing protesters during the 18-day uprising earlier this year.
At least 846 people were killed in the uprising and more than 6,000 injured, leaving many with permanent disabilities.
Protesters across Egypt entered the fifth day of their sit-in on Tuesday as many of them doubted how quickly Prime Minister Essam Sharaf would carry out pledges that included a cabinet reshuffle.
Protesters gathered around the stock market building in the coastal city of Alexandria threatening disruption to trade. However, bourse officials denied that the building was closed.
Egypt's benchmark stock index EGX30 dropped 2.82 per cent Tuesday, extending its drop for a third consecutive day.
In Suez city, four US journalists were briefly detained when protesters arrested them and handed them over to the military police.
One of the journalists, who has Egyptian origins, said they were released after "a misunderstanding" while they were reporting on anti-government protests at the Suez Canal.
Protesters in Suez city, around 100 kilometres north-east of Cairo, have been threatening to disrupt the canal's operations in objection to the slow pace of reforms.
Sharaf, whose government has been criticized for allegedly dragging its feet on prosecuting Mubarak and his aides, promised Monday that the government would be reshuffled within a week.
On Tuesday, Sharaf accepted the resignation of his deputy Yehia el-Gamal, who has been criticised by activists for months, the cabinet announced.
Protesters have been calling for a cabinet reshuffle, complaining either over ministers' links to the Mubarak regime or the slow pace of reform in their respective ministries.
Sharaf also announced a reshuffle of provincial governors before the end of July, and ordered the interior minister to suspend policemen thought to be involved in shooting at protesters.
The April 6 Youth Movement, which organized and called for the sit-in to pressure the government and the country's military rulers, welcomed Sharaf's decisions but said they were not enough to quell demonstrations.
Protesters are also calling for a replacement of the Attorney General, a ban on members of the former ruling party in the coming elections as well as a timetable for introducing a minimum wage.
The protest movement is also pressing for an end to military trials for civilians.
Published July 12, 2011
