Watch Season 1 of Borgen Online Now!  Close

Mosaic Blog

Mubarak Stands Defiant

As the sun set on the 17th straight day of protest, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak refused to cede to protesters' demands to step down, deciding instead to remain in power while delegating various responsibilities to Vice President Omar Suleiman. In a speech broadcast on state-run Egypt's Nile TV, he said he has laid "down a clear vision to resolve this crisis."

 

Al Jazeera's Arabic language channel reports that the Egyptian army issued "Communiqué Number One," saying it will protect the people, their interests and the country.

 

BBC Arabic interviews Dr. Amr al-Shobaki of the Center for Political and Strategic Studies in Cairo. He believes that the first phase of the revolution will end soon with Mubarak stepping down or handing power over to someone else. He also discusses the transitional phase after Mubarak is gone and what role the army will play.

 

Meanwhile, Lebanon's New TV reports that Egyptian protesters are working hard on their slogans in order to accomplish their goals without losing their sense of humor. Watch these stories and more, tonight on Mosaic.

 
 

Comments (0)

 
Digg it!Add to RedditAdd to Del.icio.usShare on Facebook
 
Demonstrations Around The World on 'Day of Departure'

Millions of Egyptians came out to Tahrir Square today for the "Day of Departure," according to Al Jazeera's Arabic channel. Demonstrators said all Egyptians were participating and that they would not leave until their demands were met.

BBC Arabic reported that both pro and anti-Mubarak protesters turned out in Alexandria. They also said that the Egyptian Attorney General banned several officials from leaving the country as a precautionary measure against them.

One of the banned ministers, former Minister of Commerce and Industry Rachid Mohamed Rachid, called into Nile TV, Egyptian state television. Rachid said he was in Dubai with the permission of authorities and did not know why he had been banned from traveling.

Al Alam, the Arabic language channel from Iran, reported that an European Union summit issued a statement today condemning the attacks on Egyptian demonstrators and calling for an immediate peaceful transition of power. They also said three demonstrations supporting the pro-democracy protesters took place in Brussels today.

Iran's English language channel, Press TV, showed demonstrations around the world in support of the anti-Mubarak protesters, including in Malaysia where protesters clashed with police.

Lebanon's New TV featured the newly appointed Egyptian Vice President Omar Suleiman. The soft-spoken Suleiman rose through the armed forces and military intelligence to become head of the Egyptian General Intelligence Service.

As protests continue in Egypt, Dubai TV reports on how the unrest is affecting the Gaza Strip. Egypt is the main source of supplies for the people of Gaza. Transportation tunnels at the Rafah border crossing have been cut off since the protests erupted, leading to fears of a food shortage.

 
 

Comments (3)

 
Digg it!Add to RedditAdd to Del.icio.usShare on Facebook
 
Violence Continues in Egypt as Protests Spread to Yemen

Violence continued today between supporters of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and pro-democracy demonstrators. According to BBC Arabic, the army intervened to separate the two sides and the Egyptian government has started a campaign to reassure the demonstrators.

Al Alam, an Arabic language channel out of Iran, reported that attacks on journalists are increasing in Egypt and that several of their reporters have been assaulted. Cameras broadcasting live from Tahrir Square have been targeted as well.

Nile TV, the state-run Arabic channel from Egypt, spoke with new Egyptian Vice President Omar Suleiman. Suleiman conceded that the protesters' demands are "legitimate" and that they are being reviewed. He also said this was at heart a good youth movement that had been infiltrated by outside special interests.

Al Jazeera's Arabic channel reported clashes outside the Egyptian embassy in Beirut between Lebanese security forces and supporters of the Egyptian pro-democracy demonstrations. Security forces stopped the protesters from storming the embassy.

According to New TV, an Arabic language channel from Lebanon, the Mubarak family's wealth exceeds $50 billion. Reports indicate that he is likely to hold on to that vast personal wealth when he leaves office, regardless of whether it is next week or next fall.

Dubai TV reported rival protests in the Yemeni capital, Sana'a, attracted thousands. The opposition protest called for all political parties to participate in a national dialogue. Yemen's president met with the main opposition party two days ago and an agreement may be a possibility.

 
 

Comments (0)

 
Digg it!Add to RedditAdd to Del.icio.usShare on Facebook