Egypt: Opposition supporters have vowed to continue protesting

Following two days of violent clashes, Egyptian opposition supporters have vowed to continue protesting. According to the country's Health Ministry, several hundred people were injured during confrontations with the army and groups of unidentified men in civilian clothes.

The protesters have continued demonstrating since Hosni Mubarak stepped down in February, about the slow pace of political and social change. Speculation is rife that the clashes were orchestrated by the military but the army continues to deny any such doing.

Some of the demonstrators have already returned to Tahrir Square in the centre of Cairo, despite being heavily injured. Most incurred injury when unidentified men in plain clothes attacked marches from the square to the defence ministry, where the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) is based.

The protesters continue to be defiant, and the clashes last week mark a new turning point in the confrontation between the opposition and SCAF, who continues to have trouble appealing to ordinary Egyptians.

Sources: BBC News, Reuters, Bloomberg

For more news and expert analysis about Egypt, please see Egypt Politics & Security.

Egypt military rule may ban protests

Egypt's security forces are overseeing the final removal of anti-government protestors from Tahrir Square. Most of the protestors left the square over the weekend, believing President Hosni Mubarak's resignation will mean a clean slate for Egypt.

The country's new military rulers have said they will dissolve parliament and suspend the constitution. The military, who took-over after Mubarak stepped down on Friday, intends to remain in power for six months or until the next presidential election. Reports have also emerged that the military is going to ban public protests in order to maintain peace; however, many believe that this could incite unrest among Egyptians who may see it as an infringement of their new found freedom.

The whereabouts of Mubarak are still unclear, but it is believed that he is staying in the Red Sea resort town of Sharm El-Sheikh. Some people have demanded that Mubarak stand trial for the death of all those killed during the 18 days of demonstrations. Mubarak's next move is unclear, but there is little doubt that the military faces a big challenge in trying to keep Egyptians content.

There have been reports of possible demonstration unless the demands of the people are met. Egypt's temporary Prime Minister, Ahmed Shafiq, said the country's main priority was to restore the Egypt's security. He noted: "Our main concern now as a cabinet is security - we need to bring back a sense of security to the Egyptian citizen…Parallel to that we also want to ensure that the daily life of all Egyptians goes back to normal and that basic needs like bread and healthcare are available."

Sources: BBC News, CNN, FT, Irish Times

For more news and expert analysis about Egypt, please see Egypt Politics & Security.

Protests in Egypt in danger of losing momentum

Two weeks into protesting, the demonstrators occupying Tahrir Square have once again called for an immediate removal of Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak. Thousands of Egyptians gathered in the square have been guarded by the army, on site to maintain order. The talks between the government and the opposition seem to have achieved little as Mubarak is unlikely to resign.

Speaking about the dialogue, US President Barack Obama said: “Egypt has to negotiate a path, and I think they're making progress." The opposition, however, insists that the talks are heading nowhere, and that most people still live in fear of harassment and wrongful arrest. In a bid to appease the demonstrators, the government announced concessions, including a 15 per cent pay rise for six million public sector workers.

Discussions between the opposition and Egypt's newly appointed Vice President Omar Suleiman have stagnated as the government hasn't met the protesters' key demands, namely the resignation of President Mubarak.

Presently, the occupation of Tahrir Square is being tolerated, while the rest of Egypt goes back to normalcy. It is feared that the anti-government movement might lose momentum, and the participants might get rounded up and face prosecution by the establishment.

Sparked by the uprising in Tunisia, the protesters sought to oust Mubarak after three decades in power. According to Human Rights Watch (HRW) research, nearly 300 people have been killed in the unrest which began on 25th January. HRW said it has estimated around 297 victims in the days of violence, which saw fierce clashes with police, and battles between protesters and Mubarak supporters.

The numbers of those in Tahrir Square drop overnight, and after days of protests, those camping on the square are beginning to feel the strain.

Sources: BBC News, New York Times, Voice of America, AP

For more news and expert analysis about Egypt, please see Egypt Politics & Security.

Mubarak reshuffles cabinet amid demonstrations

The ongoing protests and mounting pressure from the angry protesters have prompted Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak to reshuffle his cabinet. The country's Interior Minister Habib al-Adly, and Finance Minister Youssef Boutros-Ghali , both reviled by the protestors, have been replaced. It is unlikely, however, that the protests will subside unless Mubarak is ousted.

The protestors, on the streets in Cairo in their tens of thousands, have called a large-scale strike on Tuesday 1st February. In a bid to appease the angry crowds Mubarak has ordered the new Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq to put in place democratic reforms and create employment opportunities.

Adly has been replaced by an army general, Mahmud Wagdi, and Samir Mohammad Radwan becomes finance minister. Radwan said he had a "national mission at a very critical time". Several businessmen holding economic posts have also been removed, evidently to appease the Egyptian people who have resented the influence of the tycoons.

It is generally thought, however, that the reshuffle is not enough to placate the Egyptian people, as the new line-up is not radical enough with both with Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit and Defence Minister Gen Mohamed Hussein Tantawi, who is also the new deputy PM, both keeping their jobs.

Egypt has been in turmoil for over a week; with demonstrators clearly united as they remain on Tahrir Square, while military helicopters circle overhead. The army is heavily present on the streets and at military checkpoints. The country's opposition is calling on the Egyptian people to take to the streets in their millions to maintain the pressure on Mubarak's administration. There seems to have been some discord, however, amid the opposition, with the largest group, the Muslim Brotherhood (MB), appearing to go back on its endorsement of leading figure Mohamed El Baradei as a negotiator with Mubarak.

A spokesman for the MB, Mohamed Morsy, told the BBC: "The Muslim Brotherhood is much stronger than Mohamed El Baradei as a person. And we do not agree on he himself to become representing [sic] this movement, the movement is represented by itself, and it will come up with a committee... to make delegations with any government."

Sources: Ha'aretz, FT, WSJ, BBC News

For more news and expert analysis about Egypt, please see Egypt Politics & Security.

Egyptian security forces on high alert as protest get backed by MB

Egyptian security forces have been put on high alert as thousands of anti-government activists prepare for another day of protests after Friday noon's prayers. The government has forewarned the protestors that "decisive measures" will be taken against those demonstrating in public, which the government has banned after Thursday's demonstrations in Cairo.

The government has also taken extra measures to prevent the demonstrations from going ahead, namely by blocking the use of internet across the country and effectively wiping Egypt off the global digital map.

The Muslim Brotherhood (MB), Egypt's leading opposition group, has said that it will support Friday's protests, and accused the government of engineering the digital disruption "to prevent the voices of the Egyptian people from reaching the world". Mohamed El Baradei, the country's main opposition figure, also said he would join in the protests. Returning to Cairo from Vienna on Thursday, El Baradei said:"I wish we did not have to go out on the streets to press the regime to act," adding that the government should "listen quickly, not use violence and understand that change has to come”.

The protests are expected to be the biggest so far. The government has upped its security measures, deploying an elite counter-terrorism force to key locations in Cairo, including Tahrir Square.

Shortly after Thursday's protests ruling National Democratic Party's (NDP) Secretary General, Safwat El-Sheri, said: "The NDP is ready for a dialogue with the public, youth and legal parties. But democracy has its rules and process. The minority does not force its will on the majority."

Sources: BBC News, Aljazeera, NPR, France24

For more news and expert analysis about Egypt, please see Egypt Politics & Security.

Egypt bans public protests, gatherings and marches

A day after thousands of Egyptian's took to the streets demonstrating against President Hosni Mubarak's administration; Egypt has announced a ban on public protests. Previously, in order to stage a public protest, Egyptian's had to get a permit to do so, but the government has gone a step further and banned protests, public gatherings and marches altogether. The country's Interior Ministry has said that anyone participating in unauthorised public action will be detained and prosecuted for breaking the law.

It is estimated that four people have died after yesterday's nationwide protests, contained by the country's security forces with tear gas and violence. It has been reported that the fourth person died, after sustaining heavy injuries, in the town of Suez, where two other people were killed on Tuesday 25th January.

Egyptian security forces used gas and a water canon to herd the protesters away from Tahrir Square in Cairo. One police officer has been killed amid the violence in the country's capital. The protests spread across the country, to the eastern city of Ismailiya and the northern city of Alexandria, where protesters were reportedly chanting: "Revolution, revolution, like a volcano, against Mubarak the coward."

Despite the threat of arrest issued by the country's Interior Ministry, reports have emerged that some protesters have began gathering on the streets in anticipation of another day of protests.

The uprising, inspired by the recent events in Tunisia, took on a more aggressive tone when the crowd turned its anger toward President Mubarak calling for his resignation.

In view of these events, the White House issued a statement saying the Egyptian government had "an important opportunity to be responsive to the aspirations of the Egyptian people" and should therefore "pursue political, economic and social reforms that can improve their lives and help Egypt prosper". The statement added that the US is "committed to working with Egypt and the Egyptian people to advance these goals".

A number of anti-government activists called for a second day of protests, but it is yet to be seen whether or not Egyptians will respond the call.

Sources: BBC News, Xinhua, Reuters, France24, Bikya Masr

For more news and expert analysis about Egypt, please see Egypt Politics & Security.