Egyptians Continue Protests In the “Day of Departure”
Protests in Cairo (nydailynews.com)
Tension remains high in Egypt on Friday, after the day of prayer, as tens of thousands returned to the Tahrir Square, in what has already been called the “Day of Departure,” singing and shouting “Down with the Dictator!”
The rally in Tahrir Square was peaceful but bloody fights broke out in a square half a kilometer away, with young people, supporters and foes of Mubarak, carrying sticks and rocks, and gunshots being heard.
Muslim Brotherhood reported that its news website office was vandalized by the security forces accompanied by a “gang of thugs,” and that administrators, technicians and journalists were arrested on that occasion. Al-Jazeera reports that a similar attack occurred in its office in Cairo.
Protests in Cairo (theaustralian.com.au)
Anti-Mubarak protesters entered the Tahrir Square, where they chanted and shouted messages against the president, such as: “He leaves, we stay!”
It is considered that what happened today represents a remarkable change from what happened on Wednesday, when supporters of the president entered the square and engaged in a open conflict with the protesters of the regime.
The Health Ministry reports that the conflicts these days have provoked at least 5,000 people to be hurt.
The protests continued also in Alexandria and Suez, where thousands took it to the streets in the 11th day of protest. Approximately 35,000 people were on the streets of Suez.
Amre Moussa, secretary general of the Arab League, was also present in Cairo, participating in the demonstration. He is considered a hopeful candidate along with Mohamed ElBaradei for the presidential office in the post-Mubarak era.
Meanwhile, the United States has continued the efforts to convince the regime in Cairo to begin a transitional government as soon as possible.
