User:Aude/Egypt2

"Egypt: Mubarak Sacks Cabinet and Defends Security Role". BBC News. 29 January 2011. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-11777943. Retrieved 29 January 2011. 

"Egypt: Mubarak Sacks Cabinet and Defends Security Role". BBC News. 29 January 2011. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-11777943. Retrieved 29 January 2011. 

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2011 Egyptian protests
Demonstrators marching on 25 January
Date	25 January 2011 – present
Location	Egypt
Methods	Demonstrations, riots, civil disobedience, strike actions
Lead figures
297–334 fatalities[1] including at least 135 protesters,[2][3] 12 policemen,[4][5][6] 12 escaped prisoners, and one prison chief[7][8] Possibly over 3,000 injuries[9] Over 1,000 arrests as of January 26[10]

Politics of Egypt
Member State of the African Union Member State of the Arab League
Constitution (history)
Government President (list) Abdel Fattah el-Sisi Prime Minister (list) Mostafa Madbouly Cabinet Mostafa Madbouly's ministry
Legislature Parliament House of Representatives Speaker (list) Hanafy El Gebaly Senate
Judiciary Supreme Constitutional Court Chancellor Saeed Marie
Administrative divisions Governorates Subdivisions
Elections Recent elections Presidential: 2018 2023 Parliamentary: 2020 2025 Referendum: 2014 2019
Political parties (former)
Foreign relations Ministry of Foreign Affairs Minister: Sameh Shoukry Diplomatic missions of / in Egypt Nationality law Passport Visa requirements Visa policy
Egypt portal Other countries
v t e

The Egyptian protests of 2011 are a series of street demonstrations, marches, rallies, acts of civil disobedience, riots, labour strikes, and violent clashes that began in Egypt on 25 January 2011, a day selected to coincide with the National Police Day holiday.^[11] The protests were largest in Cairo and Alexandria, with significant activities in other cities of Egypt. At times over a million people were protesting to demand the overthrow of the Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.^[12] Amidst these protests, Mubarak left office on 11 February, after 30 years of rule. While localised protests had been common in previous years, the 2011 protests have been the largest demonstrations seen in Egypt since the 1977 Bread Riots and unprecedented in scope,^[13] drawing participants from a variety of socio-economic backgrounds and faiths.^[14]

The demonstrations and riots, part of the 2010–2011 Arab world protests, started in the weeks after similar events in Tunisia, with many protesters carrying Tunisian flags as a symbol of their influence.^[15] Grievances for Egyptian protesters have focused on legal and political issues^[16] including police brutality,^[11] state of emergency laws,^[11] lack of free elections and free speech,^[17] and corruption,^[17] as well as economic issues including high unemployment,^[18] food price inflation,^[18] and low minimum wages.^[11][18] The primary demands from protest organisers are the end of the Hosni Mubarak regime, the end of Emergency Law (martial law), freedom, justice, a responsive non-military government, and management of Egypt's resources.^[19] Labour unions were said to play an integral part in the protests.^[20]

As of 29 January, at least 302 deaths had been reported by Human Rights Watch, and those injured number 750 policemen and 1,500 protesters.^[2][3] The capital city of Cairo has been described as "a war zone,"^[21] and the port city of Suez has been the scene of frequent violent clashes. The government imposed a curfew that protesters defied and that the police and military did not enforce. The presence of Egypt's Central Security Forces police, loyal to Mubarak, has been gradually replaced by largely restrained military troops. In the absence of police, there has been looting by gangs that opposition sources said were instigated by plainclothes police officers. In response, civilians have self-organised watch groups to protect neighbourhoods.^{[22][23][24][25][26]}

International response to the protests has been mixed, though most have called for some sort of peaceful protests on both sides and moves toward reform. Mostly Western governments also expressed concern for the situation. Many governments have issued travel advisories and begun making attempts at evacuating their citizens from the country.

Mubarak dissolved his government and appointed military figure and former head of the Egyptian General Intelligence Directorate Omar Suleiman as Vice-President in an attempt to quell dissent. Mubarak asked aviation minister and former chief of Egypt's Air Force, Ahmed Shafik, to form a new government. Opposition to the Mubarak regime has coalesced around Mohamed ElBaradei, with all major opposition groups supporting his role as a negotiator for some form of transitional unity government.^[27] In response to mounting pressure Mubarak announced he would not seek re-election in September.^[28]

On 11 February, Vice President Omar Suleiman announced that Mubarak would be stepping down as president and turning power over to the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces.^[29] The BBC reported that Suleiman said Mubarak had handed power to the high command of the armed forces. Officials say Mubarak has already left Cairo and is in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh where he has a residence.^[30]

Since the 1981 assassination of President Anwar El Sadat, Hosni Mubarak has headed Egypt's semi-presidential republic government and is the longest serving President in Egypt's history. Mubarak and his National Democratic Party (NDP) government have maintained one-party rule under a continuous state of emergency.^[31] Mubarak's government earned the support of the West and a continuation of annual aid from the United States by maintaining policies of suppression towards Islamic militants and peace with Israel.^[31] Hosni Mubarak has often been compared to an Egyptian pharaoh by the media and by some of his harsher critics due to his authoritarian rule.^[32]

An emergency law (Law No. 162 of 1958) was enacted after the 1967 Six-Day War, suspended for 18 months in the early 1980s,^[33] and continuously in effect since President Sadat's 1981 assassination.^[34] Under the law, police powers are extended, constitutional rights suspended, censorship is legalised,^[35] and the government may imprison individuals indefinitely and without reason. The law sharply limits any non-governmental political activity, including street demonstrations, non-approved political organisations, and unregistered financial donations.^[33] The Mubarak government has cited the threat of terrorism in order to extend the emergency law,^[34] claiming that opposition groups like the Muslim Brotherhood could come into power in Egypt if the current government did not forgo parliamentary elections and suppressed the group through actions allowed under emergency law.^[36] This has led to the imprisonment of activists without trials,^[37] illegal undocumented hidden detention facilities,^[38][39] and rejecting university, mosque, and newspaper staff members based on their political inclination.^[40] A parliamentary election in December 2010 was preceded by a media crackdown, arrests, candidate bans (particularly of the Muslim Brotherhood), and allegations of fraud involving the near unanimous victory by the ruling party in parliament.^[33] Human rights organisations estimate that in 2010 between 5,000 and 10,000 people were in long-term detention without charge or trial.^[41][42]

The deployment of plainclothes forces paid by Mubarak's ruling party, Baltageya^[43] (Arabic: بلطجية), has been a hallmark of the Mubarak government.^[43] The Egyptian Organisation for Human Rights has documented 567 cases of torture, including 167 deaths, by police that occurred between 1993 and 2007.^[44] On 6 June 2010, Khaled Mohamed Saeed died under disputed circumstances in the Sidi Gaber area of Alexandria. Multiple witnesses testified that Saeed was beaten to death by the police.^[45][46] Activists rallying around a Facebook page called "We are all Khaled Said" succeeded in bringing nationwide attention to the case.^[47] Mohamed ElBaradei, former head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, led a rally in 2010 in Alexandria against alleged abuses by the police and visited Saeed's family to offer condolences.^[48]

Demographic

File:Egypt.pop.pramid.2005.jpg

The population was 30,083,419 in 1966,^[49] which has now grown to roughly 79,000,000 people by 2008.^[50] Most of this large population live in the limited spaces near the banks of the Nile River, in an area of about 40,000 square kilometers (15,000 sq mi), where the only arable land is found and competing with the need of human habitations. Quantitatively, the emerging overpopulation crisis thus led to poverty, hygiene, education, and housing issues, as well as a lack of adequate arable land.^[51] In late 2010 around 40 percent of Egypt's population of just under 80 million lived on the fiscal income equivalent of roughly US$2 per day and a large part of the population relied on subsidised goods.^[11]

The population growth is recent and created a youth bulge. According to the Peterson Institute for International Economics, the basic problem Egypt has is unemployment driven by a demographic bulge: with the number of new people entering the job force at about 4 percent a year, unemployment in Egypt is almost 10 times as high for college graduates as it is for people who have gone through elementary school, particularly educated urban youth, who are precisely the people currently seen out in the streets.^[52]

Reform, growth, and poverty

Egypt's economy was highly centralized during the rule of former President Gamal Abdel Nasser but opened up considerably under former President Anwar Sadat and Mubarak. The city of Cairo^{[clarification needed]} from 2004 to 2008 aggressively pursued economic reforms to attract foreign investment and facilitate GDP growth, but postponed further economic reforms because of global economic turmoil. The international economic downturn slowed Egypt's GDP growth to 4.5 percent in 2009. In 2010, analysts assessed the government of Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif would need to restart economic reforms to attract foreign investment, boost growth, and improve economic conditions for the broader population. Despite high levels of national economic growth over the past few years, living conditions for the average Egyptian remained poor.^[53]

Political corruption in Mubarak administration's Ministry of Interior has risen dramatically due to the increased power over the institutional system necessary to prolong the presidency.^[54] The rise to power of powerful business men in the NDP in the government and the People's Assembly led to massive waves of anger during the years of Prime Ministers Ahmed Nazif's government. An example of that is Ahmed Ezz's monopolizing the steel industry in Egypt by holding more than 60 percent of the market share.^[55] Aladdin Elaasar, an Egyptian biographer and an American professor, estimates that the Mubarak family is worth from $50 to $70 billion.^[56][57]

The wealth of Ahmed Ezz, the former NDP Organisation Secretary, is estimated to be 18 billion Egyptian pounds;^[58] The wealth of former Housing Minister Ahmed al-Maghraby is estimated to be more than 11 billion Egyptian pounds;^[58] The wealth of former Minister of Tourism Zuhair Garrana is estimated to be 13 billion Egyptian pounds;^[58] The wealth of former Minister of Trade and Industry, Rashid Mohamed Rashid, is estimated to be 12 billion Egyptian pounds;^[58] and the wealth of former Interior Minister Habib al-Adly is estimated to be 8 billion Egyptian pounds.^[58]

The perceptions of corruption and its beneficiaries being limited to businessmen with ties to the National Democratic Party have created a picture "where wealth fuels political power and political power buys wealth."^[59]

During the Egyptian parliamentary election, 2010, opposition groups complained of harrassment and fraud perpetrated by the government. As such opposition and civil society activists have called for changes to a number of legal and constitutional provisions which affect elections.

In 2010, Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index report assessed Egypt with a CPI score of 3.1, based on perceptions of the degree of corruption from business people and country analysts (with 10 being clean and 0 being totally corrupt).^[60]

It has been suggested that some portions of this page should be split into pages titled 2011 Egyptian protests and Timeline of the 2011 Egyptian protests. (discuss) (February 2011)

On 25 January 2011, known as the "Day of Anger" (Arabic: يوم الغضب yawm al-ġaḍab, Egyptian Arabic: [ˈjoːm elˈɣɑdɑb])^[61] or the "Day of Revolt",^[62] protests took place in cities across Egypt, including Cairo, Alexandria, Suez and Ismaïlia.^[62] The day was selected as such by the 6 April Youth Movement, We Are All Khaled Said Movement, National Association for Change, 25 January Movement and Kefaya^[14][63] to coincide with National Police Day. Thousands protested in Cairo, with 15,000 occupying Tahrir Square,^[61] 20,000 in various locations across Alexandria,^[64] 200 demonstrators in the southern city of Aswan, 2,000 in the eastern city of Ismaïlia, and about 3,000 in the northern city of El-Mahalla El-Kubra.^[65]

Cairo protesters had gathered in the morning in front of the High Court in the centre of Cairo. The demonstration was larger than expected and able to break the security cordon and head to Tahrir Square.^[67] Police used tear gas and water cannons against the protesters, who in turn threw stones at police, eventually forcing them to retreat.^[62] Deadly clashes broke out during the protests. A policeman was reported to have died in Cairo, while in Suez two protesters were killed.^[62] It was reported that many police had also been restrained in their use of violence.^[68]

On 26 January riots continued, with protesters numbering in the thousands, although no accurate estimate has yet been made. There was increased use of violence from both protesters and the police, with one protester and one police official killed in Cairo.^[69] Suez experienced a dramatic uprising; many protesters were fired upon with live ammunition, and both protesters and police were beaten. Protesters in Suez also managed to set fire to several government buildings, including the police station.^[69][70][71]

External videos
Raw Video: Man Shot in Egypt Protest on YouTube

Protests were not as large on 27 January as preparations were made for planned large-scale events on the following day (Friday). The Muslim Brotherhood declared full support for the protests, and members planned to take part during Friday's demonstrations.^[72] Reformer and leader of the National Association for Change Mohamed ElBaradei returned on that day at Cairo International Airport to join the planned protests on the next day.^[73]

Later in the day a protester of Bedouin descent was shot dead by police in the town of Sheikh Zoweid in the North Sinai region, bringing the death toll to seven.^[74][75] In Suez, the uprising continued and violence increased as more buildings were set on fire, including police posts. The population of Suez and the Sinai region armed themselves with guns leading to violent revolts by protesters.^[70]

Hundreds of people were arrested at the various protests across Egypt. More than 120 people were arrested in Asyut, most of whom were members of the Muslim Brotherhood, and about another 600 people were arrested in Cairo, including 8 Egyptian journalists protesting against the government's reported restrictions on domestic and Middle Eastern affairs.^[76]

External videos
A large car runs over protesters in Cairo on YouTube
A police car runs over protesters in Cairo) on YouTube
Egyptian protester shot dead in Alexandria on YouTube

Thousands filled the streets across Egypt on Friday 28 January,^[77] called by some the "Friday of Anger" (Arabic: جمعة الغضب ǧumʿat al-ġaḍab Egyptian Arabic: [ˈgomʕet elˈɣɑdɑb])^[78] and by others as the "Day of Rage".^[79][80] Shortly before 1:00, hours ahead of the expected massive anti-government protests, the Egyptian government shut down internet services, although some people were still able to communicate using alternative means.^{[clarification needed][81][82][83]} Text messaging and mobile phone services also appeared to be blocked.^[84] According to Vodafone, all mobile phone operators in Egypt were instructed to suspend services in selected areas. Under Egyptian legislation the authorities have the right to issue such an order and the operators are obliged to comply.^[85]

Shortly after Friday prayers, tens of thousands of Egyptians began the protests, and within hours the number rose to the hundreds of thousands. Potential presidential candidate Mohamed ElBaradei traveled from Giza, where he had been leading protests, to Cairo,^[86][87] where he was arrested at an anti-government rally^[88] and placed under house arrest,^[89] although ElBaradei told Al Jazeera that he was unaware of his house arrest.^[3]

Throughout the day, police fired tear gas, rubber bullets, and water cannons into crowds during violent clashes between authorities and anti-government protesters in Cairo, Alexandria, and throughout Egypt.^[90] Thousands in Suez stormed and took control of a police station, freed all of the protesters held under arrest there and then torched up a nearby smaller local police post.^[91][92] In Port Said tens of thousands of protesters gathered and multiple government buildings were set ablaze.^[92] In Suez, police shot and killed at least one man taking part in the protests.^[93] The government issued a 18:00 to 7:00 the next day curfew, but protesters ignored it and were met by police.^[93] In the evening, protesters set fire to one of the National Democratic Party (NDP) headquarters buildings in Cairo.^[94][95] While protesters paused for evening prayers, police continued firing tear gas.^[96]

The Egyptian government deployed military in Cairo, Alexandria, and Suez to assist the police.^[97][98] Al Jazeera reported that in Suez the military wanted to avoid an open armed confrontation with protesters.^[99] The same was reported in Alexandria.

Protestors gathered in front of the l-Istiqama Mosque in Giza.^[100] Rebels and riot police fought in parts of Giza, including at the mosque.^[101]

A delegation led by the chief of staff of Egypt's armed forces, Lt. Gen. Sami Hafez Enan, was in Washington, D.C., when the visit was truncated due to the protests. The sessions, an annual country-to-country military coordination, were being led for the U.S. by Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs Alexander Vershbow. A meeting with Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, and other talks had been planned to extend to 2 February. However, in light of events in Egypt, the delegation left Washington to return home.^[102] Before their departure Friday night, Vershbow urged the two dozen representatives of the largely American-funded Egyptian military "to exercise 'restraint'".^[103]

Al Jazeera reported an Associated Press claim that an elite counterterrorism force that had been deployed at strategic points around Cairo, and that Egypt's interior ministry was warning of "decisive measures". The secretary-general of the ruling National Democratic Party, Safwat Sherif, held a press conference stating, "We hope that tomorrow's Friday prayers and its rituals happen in a quiet way that upholds the value of such rituals ... and that no one jeopardises the safety of citizens or subjects them to something they do not want."^[104]

Amid reports of looting of government buildings, concerns were raised about the safety of the antiquities of the famous Egyptian Museum, near the epicenter of the protests in Cairo. Egyptian state TV announced in the evening that army commandos had secured the museum.^[105] Protesters joined soldiers in protecting the Egyptian Museum, situated beside the burning ruling party headquarters.^[106] Looters managed to enter during the night from the roof to damage a number of small artifacts, and it was initially reported that they had ripped the heads off two mummies, but subsequent reports claimed that Egypt's top archaeologist had mistaken skulls from other skeletons, and that the mummies were intact.^[107][108]

The detention of ElBaradei prompted the U.S. to review its $1.5 billion aid package for Egypt; he was later released.^[101] The day's defiance was summed up by the plethora of Tunisian national flags and anti-Mubarak graffiti that the protesters had created in the Greater Cairo region, Alexandria, Beni Suef, Mansoura and Manufiya.^[100] Meanwhile, the Muslim Brotherhood said that twenty members of the banned group had been detained overnight, including Essam El-Erian, its main spokesman, and Mohammed Moursi, one of the its leaders.^[104]

The arson and looting that took place throughout the day has been compared to the disorder that befell Cairo during the 1952 fire, also known as Black Saturday.^[109]

The night of 28/29 January was quieter in Cairo with fewer reports of looting than in previous days.^[110]

Multiple and widespread protests continued, with many protesters chanting, "Down with Mubarak". Chants of "the people and the army are one" were also heard, as the position of the army in the course of events continued to be critical but ambiguous.^[106] By 2:00 pm local time, approximately 50,000 people had gathered in Tahrir Square, 10,000 gathered in Kafr-al-Sheikh, and additional protests were held throughout Egypt.^[111] A curfew was announced by the army for Cairo, Alexandria and Suez from 4 – 6 pm. The 6:00 pm police curfew the previous day had had "almost no effect whatsoever", according to Al Jazeera English, and protesters continued to descend on Tahrir Square.^[106] Protesters also gathered at the Ministry of Interior, and three of them were killed by police when they tried to storm the building.^[4]

Protesters were described by reporters as more confident than the previous day and earlier, and even celebratory as they felt they were nearing their objective—the end of Mubarak's presidency—although they had no tangible evidence that it was coming about.^[106] An eyewitness told Al Jazeera that people of all ages, men and women were present. Despite the curfew, people were on the streets and no one was attempting to stop them. Looting was also reported, while no police were visible on Cairo's streets.^[112]

In Beni Suef, south of Cairo, 17 protesters were shot dead by police as they attempted to attack two police stations in the city. Eight more people were killed during protests in the city. In the Abu Zabaal prison in Cairo, eight people were killed as police clashed with inmates trying to escape. According to a Reuters tally, these deaths bring the total death toll to at least 100; however, no figures could be accurately confirmed.^[113] Inmates rioted in Cairo's Wadi Natrun prison as it was attacked by an angry mob leading to the escape of several Islamist terrorists and others.^[114] Prison overcrowding and police brutality were one of the complaints voiced by many of the protesters in urban Egypt.^[113] Emad Gad, an analyst with the Al-Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies, said that he has obtained information from a trustworthy source that "there have been orders from the very top to free known felons from the prisons, to arm them and to let them mingle with protesters."^[115] Two Egyptian policemen jailed following the death of anti-corruption activist Khaled Said were among the hundreds of prisoners that escaped in Cairo that day.^[116]

Tanks were reported on the streets of Suez. A police station was torched after protesters seized weapons stored inside before telling officers to get out. At first there was a presence of the Central Security Force, then army troops who were ordered into major cities to quell street fighting.^[117] In the Sinai town of Rafah a lynch mob killed three police officers.^[117][118]

Many tourists sites have been disrupted, with access to the Pyramids in Giza suspended.^[119] The resort town of Sharm-el Shaikh, however, has been calm.^[120] Chaos had been reported at Cairo International Airport, where thousands of stranded and frightened foreigners are attempting to be evacuated back to their home countries.^[121]

Overnight, thousands of protesters continued to defy the curfew and, as the night progressed, troops and armoured vehicles were deployed across Cairo to guard key places such as train stations, major government buildings and banks. The army had insufficient capacity to patrol neighbourhoods, so residents set up vigilante groups armed with guns, clubs and knives to drive off looters and robbers.^[122] A heavy army presence (though no police) was also reported in Suez. Chaos was also rampant in Suez the previous night, but as day broke the streets remained relatively quiet. As in Cairo, many residents formed vigilante groups to protect their homes and businesses in the absence of police. The military set up numerous checkpoints throughout the city.^[123] About another 30 dead bodies were taken to El Damardash Hospital in central Cairo. The figure included 2 children.^[124]

By 6:00 am local time, Tahrir Square was quiet, with only a few hundred people.^[125] Later in the morning, 3,000–5,000 protesters were reported as gathering there, including hundreds of state judges protesting for the first time.^{[125][126][127]} They, among others, have called for a new constitution and a transitional government.

Soldiers were then given orders to use live ammunition, but the army said the order would be refused since they were present to "protect the people". According to Al Jazeera Arabic, the army chief told protesters they would not be fired upon. Helicopters were monitoring the protests, and fighter jets were repeatedly flying low over Tahrir Square.^[128] After the first pass of the two Egyptian Air Force F-16s, the crowd cheered but subsequent passes triggered louder chants, laughing, and waving. The crowd did not disperse.^[129] Protesters were also reported picking up garbage in Tahrir Square, as essential services were not working and that they wanted to "keep our country clean". Food and water were offered at the scene.^[130]

Mohamed Hussein Tantawi, Egypt's Minister of Defence and Commander in Chief of the Egyptian Armed Forces, was seen with the protesters in Tahrir Square in downtown Cairo.^[131] As of 18:30, Mohammed ElBaradei had arrived in Tahrir Square and told that crowd that "what we have begun cannot go back".^[132] He also said "You are the owners of this revolution. You are the future. Our key demand is the departure of the regime and the beginning of a new Egypt in which each Egyptian lives in virtue, freedom and dignity."^[133] An opposition leader^[who?] said that talks would not be held with Mubarak but only with the army.^[134] Mubarak was holding a meeting with his military commanders at the time.^[135]

The Muslim Brotherhood, along with the April 6 Youth Movement, "We are all Khaled Said", National Association for Change, Jan 25 Movement and Kefaya (the main organizers of the protests) gave their support to Mohammed ElBaradei to act as a negotiator in the formation of a temporary national unity government.^{[136][137][138]} Al Jazeera reported that 34 members of the Muslim Brotherhood were released from custody as their guards abandoned their posts.^[139]

President Mubarak asked the current aviation minister and former chief of Air Staff Ahmed Shafiq, to form a new government. Shafiq, a party loyalist, had often been mentioned as a potential successor to Mubarak due to his politically reliable nature.^[122]

The Egyptian Central Bank said all banks and the stock market would remain closed on Sunday, 30 January.^[140] Police returned to the streets at about 10:30 pm except at Tahrir Square.^[125] By 10:55 local time, Al Jazeera's offices in Cairo were ordered to be closed. At the same time, all correspondents for the network had their credentials revoked.^[125]

On the night of 30 January Mubarak's Sharm el-Sheikh holiday villa was guarded by a small force of armed and loyal police who turned away all approaching vehicles.^[141] Sharm el-Sheikh had seen no deaths and only a minimal amount of trouble.^[141] A number of military aircraft were visible from the local airport’s perimeter fence, although the airport is frequently used by the armed forces for operations.^[141] It was also one of the hubs for private air travel in and around Egypt, but most light aircraft had left the airport earlier in the day.^[141]

The night of 30 January to 31 January was quieter in Cairo, with fewer reports of looting.^[110] For the fourth day in a row the curfew was violated without repercussions. Security officials had announced that the curfew would start at 3:00 pm and threatened to shoot anyone who ignored it, although eventually little or no action was taken^[142][143] as security and army personnel left Tahrir Square.

Hundreds of thousands continued to protest in Egyptian cities, including 250,000 protesters in Cairo alone.^[144][145] A protester was shot dead in Abu Simbel and extra troops were also moved to guard the Suez Canal.^[144] For the first time during protests, there were pro-Mubarak protests of at least 1,000 people, mostly from the neighbourhood watch groups. Mohammed ElBaradei again joined thousands of protesters in Tahrir Square. He told the crowd, "What we have begun cannot go back", referring to the previous days of anti-government protests. The National Association for Change, an umbrella group that contains several opposition movements including the Muslim Brotherhood and pro-democracy groups, chose ElBaradei to negotiate with Mubarak.

Since police forces disappeared from Cairo, and the military took key positions there, the degree of connection between the military and the current system (government, economic circles) and its position became critical. However, senior Egyptian generals led by Tantawi held back the military,^[146] as the army as a whole stated its understanding of the legitimate rights of the "great people of Egypt", its will to not use violence against pacific protesters, and its wish for democratic transition.^[147][148] The army released a statement saying:

"The armed forces will not resort to use of force against our great people. Your armed forces, who are aware of the legitimacy of your demands and are keen to assume their responsibility in protecting the nation and the citizens, affirms that freedom of expression through peaceful means is guaranteed to everybody."^[149]

Reports emerged of several major prisons across the country being attacked, and law and order rapidly deteriorated across most of Egypt.^[150] Criminal violence continued in Cairo as looters burnt out the Arkadia shopping mall. Egypt Air cancelled all internal and outbound flights;^[144][151] an inbound Egypt Air flight from London to Cairo was diverted to Athens because of an alleged bomb threat.^[152]

Industrial strikes were also called in many cities, including Cairo.^[which?] The Japanese firm Nissan had suspended production at its plant in Egypt to ensure employees' safety after anti-government protests, but the Korean owned Hyundai's plant chose to continue working.^[153]

Zahi Hawass, an internationally known archeologist, was appointed by Mubarak to the newly created cabinet post of Minister of Antiquities during the cabinet shakeup on 31 January. Hawass said in a statement published on his personal blog that "the broken objects can all be restored, and we will begin the restoration process this week".^[154] In a New York Times interview he rejected comparisons with Iraq and Afghanistan and said that antiquities were being safeguarded.^[155] Luis Ayala, the secretary-general of the Socialist International said that the NDP was expelled because:^[156]

The use of violence, with scores dead and injured, is totally incompatible with the policies and principles of any social democratic party anywhere in the world. Consequently, we consider that a party in government that does not listen, that does not move and that does not immediately initiate a process of meaningful change in these circumstances, cannot be a member of the Socialist International. We are, as of today, ceasing the membership of the NDP, however we remain determined to cooperate with all the democrats in Egypt striving to achieve an open, democratic, inclusive and secular state.

Opposition leaders called for a million-strong march dubbed "March of the Millions"^[157] (literally the "March of One Million", from the Arabic مسيرة مليون masīrat milyōn) from Cairo's Tahrir Square to the Presidential Palace in Heliopolis on 1 February.^[158][159] Egyptian security forces fortified Mubarak's presidential palace with coils of barbed wire to ensure that the protesters can not get there.^[160]

According to the Egyptian government media, the number of the protesters in Cairo numbered in the thousands. The BBC reported the number of protesters in Tahrir Square ranged from "more than 100,000 to some 250,000 – the square's maximum capacity."^[161] Egyptian security forces stated that 500,000 people participated in the protests in Cairo alone.^[162] According to Al Jazeera, over one million protesters gathered in central Cairo by the afternoon, a number growing to around 2 million later in the day.^[163]

Similar protests occurred across Egypt with hundreds of thousands protesting in Alexandria, and an estimated 250,000 protesting in Sinai^[164][165] and Suez^[166] marking the largest mobilisation in the then eight day old protest. Meanwhile, a virtual "March of Millions" was launched on Facebook with the goal of reaching one million voices in support of the march.^[167]

The United Nations human rights chief Navi Pillay announced that there were reports that more than 300 people had died in the violence with up to 3,000 injured, although stressed that these reports remain unconfirmed.^[168] Meanwhile banks are closed, making it difficult for people to get cash to buy food; for those that have money, prices are skyrocketing as consumers flood the few open stores.^[169] Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey's Prime Minister urged Mubarak to meet his people's "desire for change".^[170]

In the late evening (11:00 pm local Egyptian time) President Mubarak proclaimed that he did not intend to run for another term in the next election.^[172] Mubarak said he would stay in office to ensure a peaceful transition to the next election, set for September 2011, and promised to make political reforms. He also said that he would demand that Egyptian authorities pursue "outlaws" and "investigate those who caused the security disarray." Mubarak said that peaceful protests were transformed into "unfortunate clashes, mobilised and controlled by political forces that wanted to escalate and worsen the situation". Mubarak called upon the Egyptian parliament to change the limit terms of the presidency and change the requirements to run for president. He also accepted the legal charges against the parliament members which means a great amount of the parliament members will be changed through the legal process."^[173]

In the past, Mubarak has said he will continue to serve Egypt until his last breath. In his speech on 1 February 2011 he said: "This dear nation... is where I lived, I fought for it and defended its soil, sovereignty and interests. On its soil I will die. History will judge me like it did others.".^[174] Crowds continued protesting in Tahrir Square, demanding that the president step down.^[175][176] There were reports that Mubarak's proclamation came after President Barack Obama's special envoy, Frank G. Wisner, told Mubarak the U.S. saw his presidency at an end and urged him to prepare for an orderly transition to real democracy.^[177]

During the night of 1–2 February, Mubarak supporters and anti-Mubarak protesters clashed in Alexandria where shots were reportedly fired in the air.^[178] In Cairo, many protesters from the previous day had remained in Tahrir Square overnight.^[179]

In the morning, internet access had been partially restored and the night-time curfew was eased, running from 5:00 pm to 7:00 am instead of 3:00 pm to 8:00 am.^{[180] [181] [178]} By midday, the army was asking protesters to go home in order to stabilise the situation.^[182] State-television then announced: "You have to evacuate Tahrir Square immediately. We've got confirmed information that violent groups are heading toward Tahrir Square carrying firebombs and seeking to burn the Square."^[178]

The NDP sent many people to show support to Hosni Mubarak.^[183] Provocateurs came riding on horses and camels armed with swords, whips, clubs, stones, rocks, and pocket knives, attacked anti-government protesters in central Cairo,^{[184][185][186]} including Tahrir Square^[187] in what was later known as the (Battle of Jamal or Battle of the Camel)^[188] (Arabic: موقعة الجمل).^[189] Security officials were witnessed bribing ordinary citizens into attacking protesters.^[178] Some of the Pro-Mubarak supporters were reportedly off-duty and undercover police.^[190] Al Jazeera's live reporting showed that Mubarak supporters were carrying police IDs amidst clashes and that gunfire was heard in Tahrir Square.^[178]

Molotov cocktails were also used on anti-Mubarak protesters,^[191] some landing on the grounds of the Egyptian Museum.^[192] Pro-Mubarak supporters were filmed dropping stones and firebombs from buildings to demonstrators on the ground. Five people have been reported killed and 836 people were taken to hospitals according the Health minister of Egypt.^[193] There were also clashes in Alexandria^[194] and unrest in Port Said.^[178] CNN interviewed a few anaylsts who suggested a strategy of "hired muscle" has been tried-and-tested at numerous times in the past by the Mubarak regime, suggesting it could be the same this time despite Interior Ministry denials.^[195]

Journalists were also attacked by the pro-Mubarak activists.^[196][197] Western media suggested the possibility of Egypt descending into civil war as violence between the two sides escalated, leaving over a thousand injured.^{[198][199][200][201][202]}

External videos
Scenes of clashes in Tahrir Square on YouTube
Raw Video: Dramatic New Images of Cairo Violence on YouTube
Camels & horses storm into Tahrir Square as protesters clash in Cairo on YouTube
Wednesday night intense battle on YouTube
Protesters Arrest Bus driver who had driven in to them on YouTube

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon condemned the violence and reiterated calls for reform,^[203] while EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton also said that the violence must stop and that Mubarak needs to be more explicit in showing the people what changes would happen.^[178]

UK Prime Minister David Cameron and the White House condemned the violence, and the US State Department also called for restraint amidst the violence.^[178] US President Obama also said that a transition must begin "right now."^[204] German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle and French President Nicolas Sarkozy asserted the right to march peacefully, while Turkish Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan called for an enhanced to democratisations. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed concern over a new government saying: "I am convinced that the forces that want to bring change and democratization in Egypt will also enhance peace between Israel and the Arab world. But we are not there yet. The struggle has not been decided...We need to do everything to make sure that peace endures."^[205]

Mubarak rejects international calls to step aside. Finance Minister Samir Radwan said the government would be "open to discussion with all shades of political opinions". The army had earlier broadcast a message on television: ...You began by going out to express your demands and you are the ones capable of restoring normal life. Ali Gomaa, the Grand Mufti of Egypt, says: "I greet President Mubarak who offered dialogue and responded to the demands of the people. Going against legitimacy is forbidding. This is an invitation for chaos. We support stability. What we have now is a blind chaos leading to a civil war. I call on all parents to ask their children to stay home." A former general who was a part of the intelligence services said that Mubarak would have no qualms about "setting the whole country on fire."^[178]

Mohammed ElBaradei called on the army to intervene.^[178] He also said Mubarak should be given a "safe exit" for Friday's "Departure Day."^[206] and that "Today's violence is again an indication of a criminal regime that has lost any commonsense. When the regime tries to counter a peaceful demonstration by using thugs ... there are few words that do justice to this villainy and I think it can only hasten that regime's departure."^[207] A coalition of the opposition parties agreed to hold talks with the newly formed government. However, Mohamed ElBaradei and the Muslim Brotherhood stressed they would not talk to any government representative, including Vice President Omar Suleiman, until Mubarak's resignation.^[208]

On 2-3 February, 13 people were killed and 1,200 injured, according to the Egyptian health ministry.^[209]

In Cairo, a standoff took place in front of the Egyptian Museum in the early morning hours with rocks and petrol bombs reportedly flying. Large-caliber shots were reportedly fired in the air by the army to keep opposing factions at bay. There was a heavy police presence at the museum following the standoff. Anti-government protesters were seen banging on metal railings while rocks were thrown at them.^[210]

Protests continued in Alexandria and Mansoura, where Al Jazeera suggested up to a million people marched.^[211] In Cairo, Egyptian army tanks cleared a highway overpass from which pro-Mubarak protesters had been hurling rocks and Molotov cocktails onto the anti-Mubarak protesters. On the streets below, hundreds of armed soldiers lined up between the two factions, pushing the pro-Mubarak protesters back and blocking the main hotspots in front of the Egyptian Museum and at other entrances to the square.^[212] Violence was reported to have been perpetrated by police.^[213]

With banks closed and not due to open for three more days,^[214] cash-starved Egyptians were being offered food and money to side against the anti-Mubarak protesters in Tahrir Square.^[215]

Shahira Amin resigned from her position as deputy head of Nile TV, citing its coverage of the protests; she spoke live to Al Jazeera and to CNN. Many international journalists in Egypt to cover the protests were detained, beaten, shouted at or threatened by pro-Mubarak protesters,^[216][217] as were numerous Egyptian bloggers and activists including Wael Abbas.^[218] Two Al Jazeera reporters were attacked as they arrived from the airport^[219] while three others were arrested^[220] and later released.^[221]

The Prosecutor General decided to prevent former ministers and government officials Ahmed Abdel Aziz Ahmed Ezz, Mohamed Zuhair Mohamed Waheed Garana, Ahmed Alaa El Din Maghraby, Habib Ibrahim El Adly and a number of others from travelling outside the country. He also froze their bank accounts, pending the return of security and stability, and the establishment of the investigative and supervisory authorities and investigative procedures to identify and investigate criminal and administrative responsibilities in all of these cases.^[222]

In an interview with ABC's Christiane Amanpour, Mubarak said that he was "fed up" with being in power but would not resign because he did not want Egypt to descend into a chaos in which the Muslim Brotherhood would be the beneficiaries.^[224] Vice President Omar Suleiman also said, in the same interview, that the Egyptian people do not have a culture of democracy and that an Islamic current is pushing young people to protest.^[225] Vice President Omar Suleiman, in an interview broadcast on state television, re-asserted that "The president will not go for another term nor any member of his family including his son. The January 25 youth was not a destructive movement, however it was a demand movement...Constitution articles 76 and 77 will be modified, other articles are subjected to change." Regarding the clashes in Tahrir Square he commented that "Everyone responsible for these clashes will be questioned...The clashes had negatively impacted what the president speech had achieved." Answering a question about the effect of the events on the Egyptian economy he commented on the tourism movement: "A million tourists had left Egypt in 9 days, imagine the lost revenue." He declared that anyone who had been arrested during the demonstrations would be released unless they had committed a crime. He finally asked the protesters to go home as all their demands had been heard. He thanked them for the efforts they had put in to move political life in Egypt forward.^[226]

Bloomberg reported that Vodafone had been forced by the Egyptian government to send SMS text messages to its customers. The pro-Mubarak messages characterized protesters as un-loyal to the state and had called upon recipients to "confront" them. Vodafone CEO Vittorio Colao reported that the general public is still being blocked from sending SMS text messages.^[227]

The same organisers of the "Day of Anger" and "Friday of Anger" called for a protest which was dubbed the "Friday of Departure". In Cairo, they planned to march to Heliopolis Palace.^[228] (Arabic: جمعة الرحيل gumʿat ar-raḥīl)^[229] They demanded Mubarak step down immediately, with 4 February their deadline for him to surrender his powers.^[230]

During the night of 3–4 February, there were tanks on the street in Cairo as many of the protesters again spent the night in Tahrir Square. Pro-government protesters were also active and small-scale clashes happened in the early hours.^[231]

Two million Egyptians flooded Tahrir Square to participate in Friday day prayer in Tahrir Square.^[232] Egyptian Christians and others not performing Friday prayers formed a "human chain" around those praying to protect them from any potential disruptions.^[233] The day's planned events began after Friday prayers. Al Jazeera estimated the crowd size to be over a million in Tahrir Square.^[234] Mohammed ElBaradei was also in attendance. Protesters held portraits of former presidents Gamal Abdel Nasser and Anwar Sadat.^[235] However, protesters did not get to the presidential palace. In Alexandria, over a million protesters turned out, making it the biggest ever protest in Alexandria. They warned that if the government used violence against protesters in Cairo, they would march to Cairo to join the protesters there.^[231]

Protest marches were also held in Giza and El-Mahalla El-Kubra,^[236] Suez, Port Said, Rafah, Ismailiya, Zagazig, al-Mahalla al-Kubra, Aswan and Asyut.^[237]

The Prosecutor General followed up travel bans and frozen bank accounts on former ministers and government officials including former Minister of Trade and Industry Rachid Mohamed Rachid. He told Al Arabiya that "I returned from Davos to Egypt because of the current situation in Egypt. The new Prime Minister had contacted me for the same position in the new cabinet, I refused because I want fresh blood." Regarding the travel ban, he commented, "I had no idea about the accusations, I served for six and half years and I am completely ready to face any accusation. No one had informed me of this decision and I heard it from the news." He was considered a possible candidate for Prime Minister before the protests.^[238]

The New York Times and Bloomberg reported that the US administration is in talks with Egyptian officials over a proposal for President Mubarak to resign immediately, turning over power to a transitional government headed by Vice-President Omar Suleiman,^[239] because the longer Mubarak holds on to power the more "strident" protesters will become.^[240]

Ahmad Mohamed Mahmoud of Al-Ta'awun became the first journalist to die covering the protests,^[241] from gunshot wounds sustained on 28 January.^[242]

External videos
Raw Video: Explosion at Gas Pipeline in Egypt on YouTube

During the night of 4–5 February, a few protesters continued to camp out in Tahrir Square, though it was largely quiet.

Despite the cold, rainy conditions, anti-government protesters continue to stand their ground at Tahrir Square. Early in the morning shots were fired as protesters said pro-Mubarak activists tried to assault the square. Troops then fired into the air to disperse them. Demonstrators later formed a human chain to prevent tanks from passing through the barricades into the anti-Mubarak enclave in Tahrir Square; a witness said scuffles broke out when an army general asked demonstrators to take down their make-shift barricades of corrugated steel and debris.^[243] As the army tightened access to Tahrir Square, the head of the army met protesters^[244] and asked them to return home so that life could return to normal. Protesters responded that "he (Mubarak) will go" and they would not. The army was also more organised and present on the day that during any other day of the protest.^[245] A heavy military presence continued in central Cairo. An Interior Ministry spokesman said that "the army remains neutral and is not taking sides because if we protect one side we will be perceived as biased....our role is to prevent clashes and chaos as we separate the opposing groups."^[243] Scuffles were reported during the day in Tahrir Square and one protester was said to have died. A group of foreigners^[which?] have joined the protesters in Tahrir Square, handing out flowers to the protesters in a sign of solidarity and holding up a banner in English. Five hundred protesters also arrived in Tahrir Square from Suez. There were also reports of over 10,000 people continuing to stay in Alexandria through the night.^[245]

An explosion also occurred on the Arab Gas Pipeline in the Sinai at a gas pipeline to Israel and Jordan after saboteurs were believed to have responded to a call by Islamist groups to exploit the unrest. Supplies were expected to be cut for a week.^[246]

State television announced the appointment of Hossam Badrawi (seen as a member of the liberal wing of the party)^[245] as Head of the Shura Council after Safwat El-Sherif's resignation from his position within the party. Mubarak's son Gamal also resigned as Assistant Secretary and Secretary of the Policy Committee.^[247] Minister of State for Legal Affairs Mufid Shehab and Presidential Chief-of-Staff Zakaria Azmy were also dismissed from the party.^[248] Initial reports also indicated that Mubarak had resigned as head of the ruling NDP party,^[249] however this was later denied by state television and the Information Minister.^[250][251] Former Interior Minister Habib el-Adli and three of his leadership have been put under house arrest. There had been reports about the arrest of a number of other security leaders who are currently being held in a military prison.^[252] However, the opposition leaders continued to seek ways to remove Mubarak from power. They called on the protesters to continue at Tahrir Square every Tuesday and Friday until Mubarak "resigns and makes true the demands of the people."^[243]

The same organisers of the "Day of Anger", "Friday of Anger", "March of the Millions" and "Friday of Departure" called for a protest in what was dubbed the "Sunday of Martyrs"^[253] (Arabic: أحد الشهداء).^[254]

During the night of 5–6 February, some protesters continued to camp out in Tahrir Square, and Alexandria had peaceful late-night protests. However, gunfire was heard in the early hours of the day in Cairo.^[255]

Egyptian Christians held mass in the morning in Tahrir Square to counter claims by state television that most of the anti-Mubarak protesters are members of the Muslim Brotherhood. Copts wanted to show that they are a part of Egypt's popular uprising and share the same grievances as the rest of the country. Christians started their Sunday Mass in Cairo's Tahrir Square as Muslim protesters formed a ring around them to protect them during the service.^[256] Crowds in Tahrir Square chanted "We are one, we are one" ahead of prayers held at noon for those killed during the protests.^[255] Muslims later participated in Salat al-Janazah (Arabic: صلاة الجنازة) (literally: funeral prayer).^[257] Protesters in Cairo numbered in the vicinity of 1 million.^[258] In the midst of all of this, a young couple decided to get married. They planned to spend their honeymoon in Tahrir Square.^[259] There were also demonstrations continuing in Alexandria focuses around the train station of El Ramel. Several thousand anti-government protesters also continued calling for the Mubarak's resignation in Mansoura.^[255]

Journalists continued to be targets of the ruling regime. Ayman Mohyeldin, an Al Jazeera English journalist, was arrested by soldiers in Tahrir Square, and held for 9 hours.^[260]

Banks temporarily reopened throughout the country amidst long queues,^[261] and people rushed to buy US dollars.^[262]

There were also negotiations between Vice President Omar Suleiman and members from the opposition, including Mohammed Morsi [ar] and El-Sayyid el-Badawi. The Muslim Brotherhood said it was taking part in a dialogue with the government.^[263] Suleiman agreed to a plan to set up a committee of judiciary and political figures to study constitutional reforms. Results of the committee are due by early March.^[264] Naguib Sawiris, who was also involved in the talks, said that "big progress" had been made.^[265]

Wael Ghonim, Google's head of Marketing for the Middle East and North Africa and the founder of the Facebook page that was said to have been influential in fomenting the protests, who had been in custody since 25 January, was reported to have been released.^[267][268] At 20:00, he posted on Twitter that "Freedom is a blessing that deserves fighting for it." (sic)^[269] Since his release from custody and an interview on DreamTV, thousands of supporters joined a Facebook page created in his honour. "We authorise Wael Ghoneim to speak on behalf of the Egyptian revolution."^[270] He issued a statement reading:

Hundreds of thousands were camping out in Tahrir Square, refusing to budge. A symbolic funeral procession was held for Ahmed Mahmoud in Tahrir Square. Protesters demanded that an investigation be carried out into the cause of his death.^[271]

At least 70 people were wounded when hundreds of residents attacked the police station in Khargah to demand the ouster of a police official who had a reputation for heavy-handedness. Police then opened fire on the protesters.^[272] Authorities said that 11 people were said to have been killed across the country.^[273] The United Nations says it is more than 300.^{[1][better source needed]} MENA reports Mubarak has set up two committees to draw up changes to the constitution.

Finance Minister Samir Radwan said 6.5 billion Egyptian pounds (US$960 million) will be allocated to cover a 15 percent raise in pensions and salaries for government employees. This decision was made at the first Cabinet meeting since the protests began. One protester said that protests would not end soon because of increasing concessions that the regime offers.^[274] While banks have reopened, schools and the stock exchange remain closed. The Egyptian Stock Exchange said it would resumed work on 13 February.^[273]

Minister of Antiquities Zahi Hawass announced that artifacts damaged by looters would be restored over the next five days. He also said that steps were being taken to reopen Egypt's famed archaeological sites, which have been closed since pro-democracy protests started two weeks ago. Among the objects damaged was a statue of King Tutankhamun standing on a panther and a wooden sarcophagus from the New Kingdom period, dating back roughly 3,500 years ago. The museum, which is right next to the massive anti-government protests in downtown Cairo, is now being guarded by the army.^[273]

Former minister of the interior Habib El-Adli faces prosecution in a military court over giving orders to fire at protesters and obstructing peace in Egypt, as well as^[275] his role in the 31 December 2010 bombing of al-Qiddissin Church in Alexandria.^[276]

State-owned Al-Ahram, declared its support for the protesters and stopped supporting the ruling regime.^[277] Der Spiegel reported an unconfirmed rumour that Mubarak was planning a "prolonged hospital stay" in Germany, a move that would, in effect, have him leave the presidency paving the way for a face saving transition of power.^[278][279]

The same organisers of the "Day of Anger," "Friday of Anger," "March of the Millions" and "Friday of Departure" called for a protest in what was dubbed the "Day of Egypt's Love". (Arabic: يوم حب مصر).^[280]

Protesters continued to gather at Tahrir Square. In one of the largest protests yet, over a million people gathered in and around Tahrir Square to demonstrate.^[270] Some people were reported to be joining the protests for the first time including Egyptians who have returned from abroad and other newcomers mobilised by the release of activist Wael Ghonim. Thousand of protesters went to the parliament to demand Mubarak's resignation while other went to the Shura Council and the Council of Ministers. They later slept in front of those building beside they usually camp in Tahrir Square.

There was also a substantial protest in Alexandria^[281] and workers at the Suez Canal went on strike.^[282] BBC correspondents reported that by the afternoon the protests had the highest turnout to date.^[283]

Hundreds of journalists gathered in the lobby of the state-owned newspaper Al-Ahram's headquarters to protest against corruption and to call for greater freedom of the press.^[284]

In a statement made on Egyptian state television, Omar Suleiman announced the formation of two independent committees for political and constitutional reforms, both starting work immediately. One committee would carry out constitutional and legislative amendments to enable a shift of power; while the other committee would monitor the implementation of all proposed reforms. Suleiman also stressed that demonstrators would not be prosecuted and that a separate independent fact-finding committee would be established to probe the violence of 2 February.^[285] He said that wider press freedoms were under consideration and that he would produce a checklist of what was needed to hold free elections.^[286] He also said that plans were underway to organise a peaceful transfer of power.^[281] Suleiman reiterated his view that Egypt is not ready for democracy, while also warning of a possible coup d'état unless demonstrators agree to enter negotiations.^[287]

Ibrahim Yosri, a lawyer and former deputy foreign minister, drafted a petition, along with 20 other lawyers, asking the Prosecutor General Abdel Meguid Mahmoud to try Mubarak and his family for stealing state wealth.^[285]

According to the state-owned Middle East News Agency, Interior Minister Mahmoud Wagdy issued an order releasing 34 political detainees, mostly members of the Muslim Brotherhood.^[288]

Some protesters moved from Tahrir Square to set up camp in the area outside the parliament buildings, while demanding the assembly's immediate dissolution. The demonstrators put up a sign that said: "Closed until the fall of the regime". The cabinet offices in Cairo were evacuated and officials were relocated after anti-government protesters gathered outside the building. Meanwhile, labour unions across the country, and particularly in Alexandria, Cairo and Suez, staged general strikes, demanding higher wages and better treatment from their employers. The strikers were said to number around 20,000 workers at various factories in different cities over the past 24 hours.^[289] Violent clashes were reported in Wadi al-Jadid, where police stations and NDP party building were destroyed, and several deaths and hundreds of injuries also occurred.^[290] Protesters in Port Said burnt down the governor's building^{[clarification needed]} in response to his reluctance to provide enough housing for the city's residents.^[291] Clashes were said to have killed three people and left hundreds more wounded in the past two days.^[292]

Egyptians living outside the country returned to join the anti-government demonstrations. An internet campaign sought to mobilise thousands of expatriates to return home and support the uprising.^[293]

The government followed up on a prisoner amnesty from the previous day, releasing 1,000 more prisoners who had served three-quarters of their sentence; 840 more were released from Sinani province.^[288] The Muslim Brotherhood continued to demand for Mubarak's resignation.^[294] The offices of the state-owned Channel 5 in Alexandria were shut down and evacuated under the order of its chief amid mounting pressure by protesters.^[295]

The government warned of a military crackdown amid ongoing protests.^[296] Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit rejected US calls to repeal the emergency law and also accused the US of trying to impose its will.^[297]

Culture Minister Gaber Asfour resigned after one week in office, citing health problems.^[298]

The protests continued at Tahrir Square and the parliament building. 3,000 lawyers marched from the lawyers' syndicate in downtown Cairo to Abdeen Palace, one of the official residences of the president. About a thousand physicians, dressed in white coats, also arrived at Tahrir Square to applause.^[299] Strikes at national industries, including tourism and transportation, continued^[300] and even spread to Alexandria, Mahalla and Port Said.^{[301][full citation needed]} Protesters around Egypt, who were expecting Mubarak to announce his resignation, were described as euphoric, while singing and waving Egyptian flags.^[302]

Al Hurra TV reported that Mubarak was planning to hand his authorities to the Egyptian army.^[303] General Hassan al-Roueini, the military commander for the Cairo area, told protesters in Tahrir Square, "All your demands will be met today."^[304] State TV added that Mubarak will speak tonight from his Cairo palace. This comes after Egypt's military proclaimed on television that they have stepped in to "safeguard the country". The Associated Press suggests a military coup may be occurring. State TV showed Defence Minster Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi meeting with two dozen top army officers. Mubarak and his vice president, Omar Suleiman were not present.^[305] State TV says information minister, Anas el-Fiqqi, denies that Mubarak will resign.^[306] Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq said, "everything is in the hands of President Hosni Mubarak and no decisions have been taken yet."^[307] Al Arabiya television, citing "trusted sources" just minutes before Mubarak was to speak, said he would transfer his powers to his vice president.^[308] Mubarak says he is transferring his power to his vice president, Omar Suleiman.^[309] He also said he will request six constitutional amendments and that he would lift emergency laws when security in the country permitted it.^[310] Protesters watched in stunned silence or in anger to his speech. Some crying or waving their shoes in the air. As far as the transfer of power is concerned, Mubarak said "I have seen that it is required to delegate the powers and authorities of the president to the vice president as dictated in the constitution,". The constitutional article is used to transfer powers if the president is "temporarily" unable to carry out his duties and does not mean his resignation.^[311] Mubarak also said he would stay in the country and is "adamant to continue to shoulder my responsibility to protect the constitution and safeguard the interests of the people ... until power is handed over to those elected in September by the people in free and fair elections in which all the guarantees of transparencies will be secured."^[312] More than three million people in Tahrir Square chanted Leave! Leave! Leave! after Mubarak's speech.^[313] Vice President Omar Suleiman called on the anti-Mubarak protesters to go home.^[314] Eyewitnesses said that the Egyptian army had pulled out troops from many locations near the presidential palace in Cairo.^[315] Soon after the television announcement, a large number of protesters began to march towards the presidential palace^[316] Mohamed ElBaradei is saying "Egypt will explode" because Mubarak refused to step down. He also called on the military to intervene.^[317]

Prior to Mubarak's speech, contradictory reports from various media sources around the world stated that either Suleiman or Tantawi was expected to take over.^[319][320] In his television statement, Mubarak said that he would penalise those responsible for the violence and has a clear vision on how to end the crisis, but is satisfied with what he has offered. He also stated he would be attempting to revise six articles to the constitution, and, while remaining President to the end of his term in September, would transfer his powers to vice-president Suleiman.^[321]

Massive protests continued in Cairo, Alexandria, and other cities. The presidential palace and parliament still remained under protester control and thousands surround the state TV building, keeping anyone from entering or leaving. Due to the vast area occupied by the protests, no accurate estimate of the number of protesters could be given. ^{[322][better source needed]} The army issued a communique in support of Mubarak's half move to become de jure president, leaving the responsibilities to the vice president but officially not resigning from the office.^[323]

Vice President Omar Suleiman announced after 18:00 that the presidency had been vacated and the army council would run the country.^[301] An exchange traded fund based on the Egyptian stock market listed at the NYSE Euronext increased by 5% following the announcement. Egyptian five-years credit default swaps fell by 0.25%. Al Arabiya reported that the military council said it would sack the cabinet and then dissolve parliament.^[324] Celebrations and car honking was reported in Alexandria, as well as around Cairo.^[301] The BBC reported celebratory gunfire in Gaza. US Vice President Joseph Biden, at an event in Kentucky, talked of the youth movement that started in Tunisia and the change they could make.^[325] Mohammed El Baradei said that "Egypt is free." Indian Foreign Minister SM Krishna welcomed the events.^[326] Various media outlets pointed out that the was also the anniversary of the Islamic revolution.

Former finance minister Youssef Boutros Ghali fled Egypt to Beirut, Lebanon.^[327] Mubarak and his family reportedly left Cairo for the calmer Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh.^[328] Hossam Badrawi, the new secretary of the NDP, resigned from his position from the party due to his unhappiness with Hosni Mubarak's refusal to step down.^[329]

Protesters surrounded the Egyptian Radio and TV union building demanding fair media coverage from state TV. The state TV has shifted its attitude towards the protesters and begun referring to them as Jan25 Youth Revolution admitting the mistakes during the media coverage. The protesters expressed their anger regarding the unfair coverage. "We [the state TV] were under an information chaos," the news anchor stated. "We had strict orders from external sides" ^{[citation needed]}

Mr. Omar Suleiman in a short statement announced: "In the name of God the Merciful, Dear citizens under these difficult circumstances that the country experiences; President Mohammed Hosni Mubarak, decided to give up his position as President of the Republic and assigned the High Council of Egyptian Army Forces of running the affairs of the country. God bless and help us all". Egyptian Presidential Palace, 18:00 pm Cairo local time (GMT+2) ^[330]

Mohammed ElBaradei told the Associated Press "This is the greatest day of my life. The country has been liberated after decades of repression," and he expects a "beautiful" transition of power.^[331]

Cairo

Cairo has been at the epicentre of much of the crisis. The largest protests were held in downtown Tahrir Square, which was considered the protest "movement’s beating heart and most effective symbol."^[332] On the first three days of the protests, there were clashes between the central security police and protesters and as of 28 January, police forces withdrew from most of Cairo. Citizens then formed neighbourhood watch groups to keep the order as widespread looting was reported. Traffic police were reintroduced to Cairo on the morning of 31 January.^[333]

Alexandria

Alexandria, the home of Khaled Saeed, had major protests and clashes against the police. Demonstrations continued and one on 3 February was reported to include 30,000 people.^[334] There were few confrontations as not many Mubarak supporters were around, except in occasional motorized convoys escorted by police. The breakdown of law and order, including the general absence of police on the streets, continued through to at least the evening of 3 February, including the looting and burning of one the country's largest shopping centres.^[335] Alexandria protests were notable for the presence of Christians and Muslims jointly taking part in the events following the church bombing on 1 January.^[301]

Mansoura

In the northern city of Mansoura there were protests against the Mubarak regime every day from 25 January onwards. One protest on 1 February was estimated at one million people,^[336] while on 3 February, 70,000 people were reported on the streets.^[337]

Siwa

The remote city of Siwa has thus far been reported as relatively calm.^[338] Local sheikhs, who were reportedly in control of the community, put the community under lockdown after a nearby town was "torched."^[339]

Suez

The city of Suez has seen the most violence of the protests thus far. Eyewitness reports have suggested that the death toll there may be higher, although confirmation has been difficult due to a ban on media coverage in the area.^[340] Some online activists have referred to Suez as Egypt's Sidi Bouzid, the Tunisian city where protests started.^[341] A labour strike was held on February 8.^[342]

Luxor

There were also protests in Luxor.^[343]

Sinai Peninsula

Bedouins in the Sinai Peninsula fought the security forces for several weeks.^[344]

Sharm-El-Sheikh

No protests or civil unrest took place in Sharm-El-Sheikh.^[345]

Leading up to the protests, at least six cases of self-immolation were reported, including a man arrested while trying to set himself on fire in downtown Cairo.^[346] These cases were inspired by, and began exactly one month after, the acts of self-immolation in Tunisia triggering the 2010–2011 Tunisian uprising. Six instances have been reported, including acts by Abdou Abdel-Moneim Jaafar,^[347] Mohammed Farouk Hassan,^[348] Mohammed Ashour Sorour,^[349] and Ahmed Hashim al-Sayyed who later died from his injuries.^[350]

As of 30 January, Al Jazeera reported as many as 150 deaths in the protests.^[143] The Sun reported that the dead could include at least 10 policemen, 3 of whom were killed in Rafah by "an enraged mob".^[117]

By 29 January, 2,000 people were known to be injured.^[113] The same day, an employee of the Azerbaijani embassy in Egypt was killed while returning home from work in Cairo;^[351] the next day Azerbaijan sent a plane to evacuate citizens^[352] and opened a criminal investigation into the death.^[353]

Funerals for the dead on the "Friday of Anger" were held on 30 January. Hundreds of mourners gathered for the funerals calling for Mubarak's removal.^[354] By 1 February, the protests had left at least 125 people dead,^[355] although Human Rights Watch said that UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay claimed that as many as 300 people may have died in the unrest. This unconfirmed tally included 80 Human Rights Watch-verified deaths at two Cairo hospitals, 36 in Alexandria, and 13 in the port city of Suez, amongst others;^{[356][357][358]} over 3,000 people were also reported as injured.^{[356][357][358]}

On 29 January, Mubarak indicated he would be changing the government because despite a "point of no return" being crossed, national stability and law and order must prevail, that he had requested the government, formed only months ago, to step down, and that a new government would be formed.^{[359][full citation needed][360]} He then appointed Omar Suleiman, head of Egyptian Intelligence, as vice president and Ahmed Shafik as prime minister.^[361] On 1 February, he spoke again saying he would stay in office until the next election in September 2011 and then leave without standing as a candidate. He also promised to make political reforms.

Various opposition groups,^{[clarification needed]} including the Muslim Brotherhood, reiterated demands for Mubarak's resignation. The MB also said, after protests turned violent, that it was time for the military to intervene.^[362] Mohammed ElBaradei, who said he was ready to lead a transitional government,^[363] was also the consensus candidate by a unified opposition including: the April 6 Youth Movement, We Are All Khaled Said Movement, National Association for Change, 25 January Movement, Kefaya and the Muslim Brotherhood.^[364] ElBaradei formed a "steering committee".^[365] On 5 February, a "national dialogue" was started between the government and opposition groups to work out a transitional period before democratic elections.

Many of Al-Azhar Imams joined the protesters on 30 January all over the country.^[366] Christian leaders asked their congregations to stay away from protests, though a number of young Christian activists joined the protests led by Wafd Party member Raymond Lakah.^[367]

The Egyptian state also cracked down on the media, shutting down internet access^[368] on the first day of the protests for over a week. Journalists were also harassed by the regime's supporters, eliciting condemnation from the Committee to Protect Journalists, European countries and the United States.

Egyptian and foreign equity and commodity markets also reacted negatively to the increasing instability.

International reactions have varied with most Western states saying peaceful protests should continue but also expressing concern for the stability of the country and the region. Many states in the region expressed concern and supported Mubarak, while others like Tunisia and Iran supported the protests. Israel was most cautious for change, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asking his government ministers to maintain silence and urging Israel's US and European allies to curb their criticism of President Mubarak;^[369][370] however, an Arab-Israeli parliamentarian supported the protests. There were also numerous solidarity protests for the anti-government protesters around the world.

NGOs also expressed concern about the protests and the ensuing heavy-handed state response. There were also numerous solidarity protests around the world. Many countries also issued travel warnings or began evacuating their citizens. Even multinational corporations began evacuating their expatriate workers.^[371]

Foreign governments in the West including the US have regarded Mubarak as an important ally and supporter in the Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations.^[31] After wars with Israel in 1967 and '73, Egypt signed a peace treaty in 1979, provoking controversy in the Arab world. As provisioned in the 1978 Camp David Accords, which led to the peace treaty, both Israel and Egypt receive billions of dollars in aid annually from the United States, with Egypt receiving over US$1.3 billion of military aid each year in addition to economic and development assistance.^[372] Many Egyptian youth feel ignored by Mubarak on the grounds that he is not looking out for their best interests and that he rather serves the interests of the West.^{[clarification needed][373]} The cooperation of the Egyptian regime in enforcing the blockade of the Gaza Strip was also deeply unpopular amongst the general Egyptian public.^[374]

The Egyptian Armed Forces enjoy a better reputation with the public than police, the former perceived as a professional body protecting the country, the latter accused of systemic corruption and illegitimate violence. All four Egyptian presidents since the 1950s have come from the military into power. Key Egyptian military personnel include the defense minister Mohamed Hussein Tantawi and General Sami Hafez Enan, chief of staff of the armed forces.^[375] The Egyptian military totals around 468,500 well-armed active personnel, plus a reserve of 479,000.^[376]

Early on New Year's Day 2011 a bomb exploded in front of a church in Alexandria, killing 23 Coptic Christians. Egyptian officials said "foreign elements" were behind the attack.^[377] Some Copts accused the Egyptian government of negligence,^[378] and following the attacks many Christians protested in the streets, with Muslims later joining the protests. After clashing with the police, protesters in Alexandria and Cairo shouted slogans denouncing Mubarak's rule^{[379][380][381]} in support of unity of Christians and Muslims. Their sense of being let down by national security forces has been cited as one of the first signs of the 25 January uprising.^[382]

On February 7, a complaint was filed against Habib al-Adly, the Interior Minister until Mubarak's dissolution of the government during the early days of the protests, accusing him of having directed the attack.^[383]

• Democracy in the Middle East
• List of modern conflicts in the Middle East

General

• Egypt Resources from Google Crisis Response
• Aude/Egypt2 at the Best of the Web Directory
• Uprising in Egypt The Real News - interviews, history, analysis (video)

Interviews

• Intreview with Wael Ghonim, Google mideast manager (Youtube, Arabic); with subtitles (Youtube, English)

Live coverage

• "Al Jazeera's Youtube Channel (currently streaming live reports)". Al Jazeera English. Egypt. http://www.youtube.com/aljazeeraenglish. 
• "Live blog". Al Jazeera English. Qatar. http://blogs.aljazeera.net/middle-east/2011/02/10/live-blog-feb-10-egypt-protests. 
• "Live Egypt Unrest". BBC News. UK. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12307698. 
• "Egypt Protests Live Blog". The Guardian. UK. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/series/egypt-protests. 
• "The Lede". The New York Times. US. http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/. 
• "Unrest in Egypt". Reuters. UK. http://live.reuters.com/Event/Unrest_in_Egypt. 

Crowdsourcing

• Emergency Law and Police Brutality in Egypt at CrowdVoice
• Citizen Media coverage on Egypt Protests by Global Voices Online
• Testimonials From Egyptians at The Real News