Daily Developments in Egypt

The collapse of the Mubarak regime on Friday 11, 2011, ushered the Egyptians into a new and brighter future.

Joy and optimism is prevailing all over the country. One has the feeling that Egypt is reborn. The young revolutionaries have already removed the barriers in Tahrir Square and began cleaning the area that was their center of protest for 18 days.

The young generation that sparked the freedom movement succeeded in a way that no one has ever predicted. The movement turned into a white and peaceful revolution. It astonished the whole world.

Its impact will be felt in countries where authoritarian rule is still predominant, particularly in the Arab world. Actually recent upheavals are reported daily in Algeria, Bahrain, Yemen, Jordan and Libya

The young protestors’ leaders in co-operation with other groups have decided to establish a Trustee Committee consisting of 25 members that will be the link with the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces to see that their demands will be fulfilled. They have also called for a million protestors to gather in Tahrir Square Friday 17. The purpose of which is to remember those who have lost their life for a cause, which is the freedom and democracy of the Egyptian people. They also want to celebrate the achievement of some of their demands:

1.   The removal of Hosni Mubarak

2.   The dissolution of the Parliament and the Shoura Council

3.   The freezing of the Constitution which will be followed by a review

4.   The investigation of the corruption of   government officials and businessmen

The protestors have other demands that are not yet fulfilled such as:

• 1. The release of all political prisoners, whose number has exceeded 10,000.
• 2. The lifting of Emergency Law which the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces has promised to remove as soon as normal life is resumed.
• 3. The establishment of a new transitional government that has nothing to do with the old regime.
• 4. The punishment of those responsible for the attack on Wednesday, February 5, that led to the death of 300 young peaceful revolutionaries.

A representative group of the young generation including Wael Ghoneim has met with the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces to discuss the protestors’ demands. The Council has requested a written report from the group outlining their views and visions of the expected reforms. The report will be submitted this week to the Council. This representative group has also specified to the Council their lack of interest in participating in the new government. However, the group expressed a strong wish for the establishment of a secular and progressive type of government.

One should add that in this transitional period that follows the revolution, the Egyptian army has played a constructive role that spared the country bloodshed and contributed to a temporary stability. Let us hope that the military will continue to fulfill the revolutionary demands. More to follow daily.