【2月12日 AFP】エジプトを30年間近く統治したホスニ・ムバラク（Hosni Mubarak）政権の崩壊は、まさに革命といえるものだが、新体制を率いる軍最高評議会（Supreme Council of the Armed Forces）議長のムハンマド・フセイン・タンタウィ（Muhammad Hussein Tantawi）国防・軍需生産相（75）は、まったく「新顔」とはいえない存在だ。
【2月12日 AFP】エジプトを30年間近く統治したホスニ・ムバラク（Hosni Mubarak）政権の崩壊は、まさに革命といえるものだが、新体制を率いる軍最高評議会（Supreme Council of the Armed Forces）議長のムハンマド・フセイン・タンタウィ（Muhammad Hussein Tantawi）国防・軍需生産相（75）は、まったく「新顔」とはいえない存在だ。
【2月15日 AFP】エジプトのアハメド・アリ・アブルゲイト（Ahmed Ali Abul Gheit）外相は15日、ホスニ・ムバラク（Hosni Mubarak）前大統領を辞任に追い込んだ大規模な反政府デモ後の経済復興のため、国際社会に支援を要請した。また外相は、エジプトのパレスチナ支持をあらためて表明した。
Policeman shoots microbus driver in Maadi triggering angry protest
Angry crowds burnt the policeman's vehicle after he shot a microbus driver. (Photo by Sara Sameh)
By Tamim Elyan /Daily News Egypt February 25, 2011, 12:43 am
CAIRO: A police officer shot a microbus driver Thursday in Maadi, angering passersby and drivers who in turn burnt the officer’s car and beat him severely.
Security personnel fled Maadi, according to eyewitnesses, as hundreds protested at Gaza'er Square, the site of the incident, chanting anti-police slogans in the presence of military armored vehicles.
Eyewitnesses told Daily News Egypt that policeman Salah Ashraf Al-Segeeny, son of the Al-Basateen Investigation Bureau head, had a dispute with a microbus driver named Atef.
As people tried to break up the fight, other drivers identified the officer who felt threatened and fired gunshots, supposedly in the air, hitting the driver in the shoulder.
When Al-Segeeny tried to put the driver in the pick-up van, people attacked him with knives and took the driver to an unidentified hospital.
Military Police arrived and took Al-Segeeny to Al-Nakhil Hospital.
"The officer arrived in a horrendous state. But he wasn't dead and was later taken by Military Police," an official at the hospital told Daily News Egypt.
Daily News Egypt wasn't able to confirm the death of the driver or Al-Segeeny.
Hundreds of protestors in Gaza'er Square set the pick-up van and a police car on fire and barricaded surrounding streets.
The Ministry of Interior said in a statement that Al-Segeeny was on a sick leave and was suspended following the incident. The Prosecutor General will begin Investigations with him soon.
Activists called for a demonstration in front of the Ministry of Interior Friday demanding the resignation of its newly appointed minister Mahmoud Wagdy.
Eyewitnesses said that Al-Segeeny is notorious for his maltreatment of drivers.
One eyewitness said that protestors wanted to attack Al-Segeeny's mother, who lives in a nearby building and who rushed to the burnt car, but were prevented by another group.
Police and traffic officers abandoned their posts in Maadi's entrances and were replaced by Military Police.
Passersby take photo of the policeman's burnt pick-up van. (Photo by Ibrahim Sabri)
Tens of thousands in Tahrir call for removal of government
A Muslim Sheikh, at right, and a Coptic priest wave Egyptian flags, as they mean a sign of solidarity, as thousands gather at Tahrir Square,Friday, Feb.25. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
By Heba Fahmy /Daily News Egypt February 26, 2011, 12:31 am
CAIRO: Tens of thousands gathered in Tahrir Square in what was dubbed the “Friday of Cleansing and Protecting the Revolution,” demanding the resignation of the current government headed by Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq.
Though the number of people in Tahrir was markedly less than the Friday before, participants’ chants resounded in the area, calling on the army to push more reforms.
Protesters also demanded the release of all political detainees, dismantling the State Security apparatus and annulling the emergency law.
In his speech at Tahrir, Islamic scholar and member of the Muslim Brotherhood, Safwat Hegazy said, “We don’t want merely a change of names in the government with one thief resigning and another one taking his place.”
“Shafiq is [ousted president Hosni] Mubarak’s most prominent student,” he added.
“State Security is standing between us and freedom,” Hegazy and the protestors chanted.
Hegazy also called for the prosecution of former parliament speaker Fathi Sorour and former secretary general of the National Democratic Party (NDP) Safwat El-Sherif, labeling them corrupt members of the former regime.
Political detainees are still being held in Wadi Natroun Prison, specifically Cells 7 and 8, he said, adding that prisoners who were sentenced by military courts should be released.
“We want all political detainees to be released especially (Muslim Brotherhood members) Hassan Al-Malek, Hassan Suleiman and Khairat El-Shater, who were arrested merely for being members of the Brotherhood,” Mohamed Hassan, a government employee, told Daily News Egypt.
They were convicted of money laundering before the January 25 Revolution, he added.
“Mubarak and his corrupt gang are the ones who robbed the country, not these good people,” Hassan said.
Sheikh Reda Ragab and Father Khazman walked hand-in-hand through Tahrir Square, welcomed by warm applause and cheering from protesters chanting: “Muslim or Christian, we are all one.”
Ragab spoke to protesters in Tahrir, saying, “We came here today to show the world that there is no sectarian strife in Egypt. The former regime is the one that caused this strife and fuelled it.”
“The time of injustice and strife has passed,” protesters chanted.
Khazman said, “The youth who made this revolution have to lead the government and lead reform in this country. And it’s our duty to fight for them.”
Stickers were distributed among the crowd, including one that read “Ahmed Shafiq = The new Hosni Mubarak.”
In one corner in Tahrir, repairman Magdi Iskandar, 46, spread dozens of banners he created in the street. One of the banners addressing Egypt’s army read: “I want to know whose side you are on.” Another one said: “We are the grandsons of the Pharaohs and we taught the whole world the true meaning of freedom.”
“I am a simple man but I understand my country very well and I just want people to live with dignity and feel that the country is theirs,” Iskandar said
“Mubarak is still giving orders to the army and Shafiq on how to rule the country over the phone,” Iskandar claimed. “The Egyptian people won’t be fooled.”
“How can Shafiq prosecute the criminals from the previous corrupt regime, when he is in fact part of it,” Mahmoud Abdallah, 30, a member of the Coalition of Jan. 25 Youth, told DNE.
“The armed forces need to do a lot of in this transition period, most prominently change this transitional government,” Shaimaa Abdel Azim, member of the National Association for Change, said. “This government has officials who were involved in the corrupt regime and have complaints filed against them including Shafiq.”
A student of mass communications in Cairo University, Ahmed Hassan, spread his caricatures of the previous regime and called for the independence of universities.
“We want university deans to be elected, we want independent universities,” he said.
Engineer Ahmed El-Sayed, who was in Tahrir with his daughters, said, “This government doesn’t represent us. The army needs to understand that it rules the country in the name of the people and must heed to the people’s demands.”
“We want detainees to be released and the annulment of the emergency law, which does not take a lot of time to execute.” Menna Ahmed, 16, said.
Many present showed solidarity for Libyans as they protest demanding the ouster of President Moammar Qaddafi.
“The Libyans need medical aid and medicine and we can deliver that with peoples’ help,” Aynour Hassan, an interior designer, said.
Tens of thousands protested in Tahrir on Friday, Feb. 25, calling for the removal of the current cabinet. (Photo by Hassan Ibrahim/Daily News Egypt)
السفارة المصرية تدعو المصريين لمغادرة اليابان فورا
بعد تزايد التسرب الاشعاعي من المفاعلات النووية اليابانية،
بمعدلات تفوق المستويات الطبيعية، نصحت السفارة المصرية في اليابان المصريين المقيمين هناك،
خاصة في المناطق الأكثر تعرضا لهذا التسرب بالعودة إلى مصر فورا في حالة تمكنهم من ذلك.
وقالت السفارة إن العودة ستتم بالتعاون مع وزارة ت الخارجية،
وشركة مصر للطيران وستجري كل الترتيبات الضرورية لنقل كل من يرغب في العودة إلى مصر من مطار كانساي الدولي.
وللراغبين في العودة إلى مصر يمكنهم الاتصال بمكتب مصر للطيران في أوزاكا على أرقام
エジプトの紅海沿岸のリゾート地シャルムエルシェイク（Sharm El-Sheikh）でジョージ・W・ブッシュ（George W. Bush）米大統領と会談後に記者会見するホスニ・ムバラク（Hosni Mubarak）大統領（肩書きはいずれも当時、2008年1月16日撮影、資料写真）。(c)AFP/Mandel NGAN
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6.0 quake shakes Crete and is felt in Egypt
The earthquake that was felt in Egypt emanated from the Greek island, Crete, risking damage to ancient Minoan archaeological temples
TestWriter , Friday 1 Apr 2011
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Palaíkastron, on the Greek island, Crete, was at the centre of the earthquake that has been immediately estimated at between 5.9 - 6.3 on the Richter Scale, which is considered “strong.”
The Richter Scale dictates that a 6 causes some damage to unstable structures and can be destructive up to 160km in diameter from the centre.
Egypt felt the earthquake, although mostly as a long tremble.
Crete is the home of one of the mysterious and pleasant ancient civilisations, known as the Minoans. Their buildings are characterised by red columns and their walls and floors are often covered with wonderfully colourful mosaics that reflect their island-culture: either depicting sea creatures, fishing or recreational activities.
Today, Crete is a popular fun-and-sun destination for Greeks and island-lovers as well as for historical and culture tourists.
Zamalek-Africain clash called off after pitch invasion
The 15 April scheduled restart of the Egyptian Premier League is in doubt after unprecedented hooliganism in a Champions League match at Cairo Stadium
Hatem Maher , Saturday 2 Apr 2011
Zamalek’s Champions League encounter at home to Tunisian side Club Africain was called off in stoppage time after thousands of fans invaded the pitch.
The Cairo giants, leading 2-1, were on the verge of exiting the competition from the preliminary round after failing to overturn a 4-2 first-leg deficit.
Zamalek had a goal disallowed for offside and few minutes later thousands of fans stormed the pitch as security personnel rushed to protect the referee and the linesmen.
The ugly scenes saw angry hooligans throw stones and damage the goal’s posts in unprecedented disarray in Egyptian football. Reports at Cairo Stadium said some players were injured amid the chaos.
African are expected to be awarded victory and Zamalek is likely to face sanctions from the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
The Egyptian Premier League was scheduled to resume 15 April but the incident could throw that into doubt.
Central defender Mahmoud Fathallah converted a penalty to put Zamalek in front after 27 minutes but Africain captain Wissem Ben Yahia leveled the score with a blistering long-range free kick.
Qatari winger Hussein Yasser restored Zamalek’s lead just before the break but it was not enough to lift the White Knights through.
Roared on by the enthusiastic and vociferous home crowd who made their presence felt after lighting firecrackers, Zamalek mounted early pressure that could have resulted in a first-minute goal.
In-form forward Mahmoud Abdel-Razek ‘Shikabaka’, who was one of three attacking midfielders supporting lone striker Ahmed Gaafar, mis-hit his shot from close range after being found unmarked by a neat flick.
Fathallah also headed just over the bar after a deep free kick from Shikabala but he made amends on 27 minutes to send the home fans into ecstasy.
The onrushing Yasser was felled by Karim Aouadhi as the referee awarded a penalty for Zamalek. Spot-kick specialist Fathallah stepped up to send the keeper the wrong way and open the scoring.
Zamalek’s celebrations were short-lived, however, as Africain struck against the run of play to level the score in the 38th minute.
Skipper Ben Yahia let fly from around 40 yards as Zamalek keeper Abdul-Wahed El-Sayed failed to deal with a powerful yet innocuous free kick.
Zamalek coach Hossam Hassan introduced right-winger Hazem Emam instead of the ineffective Mohamed Ibrahim and the substitution paid off just before the half-time whistle.
The diminutive Emam superbly tricked a challenger on the right before sending in a low cross that evaded Africain keeper Adel Nefzi and went into the path of Yasser, who ghosted behind his marker to notch home into an empty net.
Zamalek, needing one more goal to advance, dominated possession in the second period but hardly threatened Africain after relying on some useless long balls which were easily cleared by the visitors’ defense.
They were boosted though after Africain’s Bilal Ifa was dismissed on the hour mark after receiving a second yellow card for handball.
Ivorian striker Abou Kone, who started the match on the bench, came on to support Gaafar as Hassan sought to increase Zamalek’s attacking options and capitalize on Africain’s numerical disadvantage.
Shikabala spurned a golden opportunity in the 73rd minute when Kone picked him out inside the area but his attempted lob was blocked by the advancing Nefzi.
Fathallah almost gifted Zamalek a decisive goal with three minutes remaining when Nefzi failed to handle a right-wing cross but he blasted the ball horribly wide with the goal gaping.
An inswinging Shikabala free kick found the net in stoppage time but the referee disallowed the goal and the chaotic scenes followed shortly after.
Egyptians apologise for match invasion in front of Tunisian embassy
Around a thousand Egyptians gathered in front of the Tunisian embassy in Cairo chanting pro-Tunisia slogans
Ahram Online, Sunday 3 Apr 2011
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Hundreds of Egyptians rally in front of the Tunisian embassy headquarters in Cairo
Around 1000 Egyptians gathered in front of the Tunisian embassy in Cairo, chanting pro-Tunisia slogans, in the wake of unpleasant incidents that took place during Zamalek’s match with Club Africain at Cairo Stadium on Saturday.
A free-for-all erupted in stoppage time of the Champions League game after the Whites had a goal correctly disallowed for offside, with thousands of fans getting onto the pitch to attack Tunisia’s Africain players as well as Algerian referee Mohamed Maknouz, who called off the match.
Facebook pages were created shortly afterwards, calling for a gathering in front of the Tunisian embassy in Egypt in order to apologise to the North African country for the disgraceful match invasion and assaults.
Indeed, a large number of young Egyptians waving Tunisian fags and few Algerian ones congregated ahead of the embassy in the upmarket district of Zamalek, causing a traffic standstill in the process. Some of them wore replica Zamalek jerseys.
Several banners and placards written in Arabic and French read “I'm sorry” while the youths chanted “Egypt and Tunisia are one hand” and “Egypt and Tunisia are one revolution”.
Both countries witnessed full-scale revolutions that resulted in the overthrow of their respective presidents this year.
Tunisian tyrant Zine El Abidine Ben Ali fled his country on 14 January following an uprising that lasted for around a month.
Egyptians were soon inspired by the Tunisians as the 25 January revolution saw Hosni Mubarak toppled on 11 February.
Other revolts erupted later in Libya, Yemen, Bahrain and Syria, among other countries in the region.
Violence erupts as army disperses Tahrir Square sit-in
Demonstrators chased from protest hub by early morning military assault but regather hours later
Salma Shukrallah, Saturday 9 Apr 2011
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Tahrir Square in the early hours of Saturday
Related
Egyptians protest, defy army bid to disperse them
Protesters set up tents in Tahrir Square, again
Armed Forces orders arrest of NDP's Ibrahim Kamel
Many have been injured and two were reported dead, according to Reuters, after Egypt's military cracked down on protestors early Saturday, aiming to disperse a mass sit-in on Tahrir Square.
Gunshots echoed around downtown between 2 and 5:30am, half an hour past curfew, as clashes continued between military and demonstrators. Witnesses say live ammunition was used, in addition to tasers, batons and teargas grenades.
At around 6am the military withdrew from the area surrounding Tahrir and protestors regathered in the square, where an army bus and truck were burning. Rocks could be seen scattered all across the intersection and parts of the ground were blood-stained, the smell of teargas still lingering.
The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces has released a statement claiming the attack was targeted against thugs and members of the former-ruling National Democratic Party who they accused of 'conducting sabotage' in the square. Among those blamed for sabotage was Ibrahim Kamel, already accused of plotting the infamous 'camel attack' of 2 February, one of the bloodiest days of Egypt's 18-day revolt. The Council has since issued an order for Kamel's arrest.
In another statement, the Council said that those who continued to sit-in past curfew hours after demonstrators had left the square were "outlaws".
The military’s attempt to disperse demonstrators came after several army officers -- who some allege are only claiming to be so -- joined the Tahrir sit-in.
Youtube videos were circulating days before Egypt’s “Cleansing Friday", showing army officers calling on their counterparts to join Tahrir Square protests and condemning the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces.
Several sources have claimed the officers who appeared in the videos were retirees living abroad who were seeking vengeance on Egypt’s military institutions.
The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces mentioned in its second statement that several of those gathered in Tahrir Square past curfew claimed to be military officers.
Protestors vowed to protect the military officers who joined them overnight, but after the military succeeded in routing the crowd from the square the officers' fates remain unknown.
The armed forces have used violence to disperse protesters on Tahrir Square before. On the last occasion, the military apologised the following day, saying there had been no order to assault the protesters and calling the incident "unintentional".
On Saturday morning, thousands regathered in the square in defiance of the army, vowing to keep protesting until ousted president Hosni Mubarak is tried and the full demands of the revolution are met.
Poll: 80% of Egyptians favor cancelling daylight saving time
Mon, 18/04/2011 - 13:15
An Egyptian government poll posted on its website showed 80 percent of participants want to cancel daylight saving time, which usually starts in Egypt from the end of April to the end of September.
Ahmed al-Semman, the prime minister’s media adviser, said the government is working on a draft law to cancel daylight saving time after it brought no economic or electrical benefits.
Seventeen percent opposed and 3 percent neutral to cancelling daylight saving time, enacted in 1988.
Al-Semman told reporters Sunday that daylight saving time disturbs the dates of arrivals and departures at the airports. He said the draft law will be reviewed by the cabinet in its next meeting.
Zamalek invite Inter Milan to centenary celebrations
Current European champions could provide the opposition to mark the Cairo giants' centenary after Real Madrid prove too expensive
Eslam Omar, Wednesday 20 Apr 2011
Egyptian giants Zamalek are in talks to host Italian side Inter Milan, as part of their centenary celebrations in June.
Zamalek had initially approached Real Madrid but were deterred by the Spanish side's financial demands.
“Real Madrid asked for one million and six hundred thousand euros and this much for us during our financial crisis,” Zamalek board member Ahmed Sherin Fawzy said. “They also required that the match be on May 24 and this might not be suitable for us.”
Inter Milan could receive one million euros for taking part in the commemorative match.
The Egyptian Premier League leaders were set to hold their 100-year festivity some months ago, but the celebrations were postponed with the country in the grips of the January 25 Revolution.
Zamalek recently exited from the African Champions League after an embarrassing pitch invasion by some of their fans during their home match against Tunisian Club Africain in the round of 32. They are waiting for the Confederation of African Football (CAF) sanction committee to decide on their punishment.
The club is hit by a financial crisis, following the dismissal of former president Mamduh Abbas, who was a major source of the club’s funds. The financial issues forced the players to complain to the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) to demand their salaries before the problem was solved by Club President Galal Ibrahim.
One of the oldest clubs in Egypt, Zamalek was established on 5 January 1911 and their football team has many fans around Africa and Arab world. They have won the Egyptian league title 11 times and the Egypt Cup on 21 occasions as well as holding five African Champions League trophies and many other championships.
Zamalek currently sit on top of the Egyptian Premier League, three points ahead of their arch rivals Ahly. Should they win the title this season, it will be their first since 2004.
中東・北アフリカの民衆蜂起からは他にも、チュニジアのラッパー、ハマダ・ベン・アモル（Hamada Ben Amor）さんも選ばれた。「エル・ヘネラル（El General）」名義の作品「Rais Lebled（大統領閣下）」が、23年間政権の座にいたジン・アビディン・ベンアリ（Zine El Abidine Ben Ali）前大統領を退陣させた蜂起を刺激したという理由だ。
Egypt cancels daylight saving time
The Egyptian Gazette Online
Wednesday, April 20, 2011 05:11:17 PM
CAIRO - Egyptian cabinet decided on Wednesday to cancel daylight saving time, Egypt's official Middle East News Agency reported
It was supposed to make the switch to the daylight saving summer time at midnight on the last Thursday of April by pushing the clocks ahead one hour.
This period runs from Friday April 29 until the beginning of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, which is expected to start on August 1 by winding the clock by one hour back.
This practice has been a controversial topic debated every year by both the public and traders alike.
While some Egyptians are saying that the summer time has many advantages, others have called on the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF), which has been running the country’s affairs since Feb 11, to cancel it once and for all.
Reda Sabri, a Cairo-based Government employee, says he wants the summer time system to remain in effect because he enjoys the extra hour of daylight in the afternoon doing outdoor household chores such as buying food stuff for his family or going out with his children and wife.
Sabri adds that daylight saving time could be linked to reduced road traffic in the precincts of Cairo and enjoying the extra hour of daylight in the afternoon or evening with his children
"I work during the day, and the system gives me more time to interact with my wife and children and enjoy going out with them in the afternoon, or the evening. The daylight saving time gives us a chance to participate in recreational activities, such as going out together after a long day of work," he told The Egyptian Gazette.
At least six people killed in sectarian clashes in Imbaba
At least six people were killed and 110 injured in a sectarian clash in Egypt on Saturday over a Christian woman who had allegedly converted to Islam, according to officials
Reuters, MENA, Sunday 8 May 2011
The strife represents another challenge to Egypt's military rulers who are trying to restore law and order after President Hosni Mubarak was forced to step down in a popular uprising in February.
Witnesses said some 500 conservative Islamists known as salafists gathered at the Saint Mina Church in the Cairo suburb of Imbaba demanding to take custody of a woman they said had converted to Islam.
A shouting match ensued between church guards and neighbours and the Islamists. The verbal clash soon developed into a full fledged confrontation where the two sides exchanged gunfire, firebombs and stones.
"I just left one young man dead inside the church," one Christian witness told journalists at the scene.
Authorities deployed large numbers of soldiers and police, backed by armoured vehicles, to the area. The army fired shots in the air and used tear gas to separate both sides, witnesses said.
A security source put the death toll at six and said 110 had been wounded, according to the state MENA news agency. The director of the health department in Giza province, Abdel-Halim al-Behairi said five had died and 54 had been wounded. He told MENA that three of the wounded were in serious condition.
Interfaith relationships often cause tension in Egypt, where Christians make up about 10 percent of its 80 million people.
The Grand Mufti of Egypt Ali Gomaa, a senior Islamic religious figure, called for calm. "All Egyptians must stand shoulder to shoulder and prevent strife," he told MENA.
He also urged the military council to stop anyone from meddling with the security of Egypt.
Christians complain about unfair treatment, including rules they say make it easier to build a mosque than a church.
Last year Egypt saw more than its usual share of sectarian strife, and a rights groups has said such clashes have been on the rise. Muslims and Christians had been brought together during the protests that ousted Mubarak.
Mastermind arrested of Saturday’s deadly sectarian violence in Egypt
Egyptian authorities arrested the mastermind of Saturday’s sectarian violence in Imbaba at the crack of dawn
Ahram Online, Monday 9 May 2011
Egyptian authorities arrested the mastermind of Saturday’s sectarian violence in Imbaba early in the morning today, as well as 14 more suspects.
A protest by Muslims, reportedly many of them Islamist Salafists,
in front of a church in Imbaba, Giza turned deadly as clashes between them and Copts left 12 dead and scores injured on Saturday night.
Hundreds protest butane gas shortage, block highway in Upper Egypt
Sun, 22/05/2011 - 13:55
Around 2000 demonstrators blocked a highway in Upper Egypt on Sunday to protest shortages of butane gas cylinders. Officials called for rapid intervention to resolve the crisis.
Eyewitnesses said residents of the village of Dashlout in Assiut and several neighboring villages blocked the Western Desert's Assiut-Cairo road at the Dashlout exit. They said citizens used tree trunks, setting them on fire.
Villagers called on Assiut Governor Ibrahim Hammad as well as the Ministry of Solidarity and Social Justice to increase the village’s share of butane gas cylinders given its large population.
Deputy Minister Magdy Selim said, “The gas cylinder problem lies not in distribution but rather in the amount received from petroleum companies.”
Selim said gas-related crises, which erupt daily and lead to disputes among the villagers, must be resolved.
Meanwhile, clashes between citizens and distributors broke out in Kafr al-Sheikh in front of the town's gas cylinder store. The price of a butane gas cylinder there has exceeded LE30.
Tourism to Egypt down 46 per cent in first quarter
Figures from state agency show a steep decline in industry that is a major source of foreign currency
Reuters, Sunday 22 May 2011
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Underworked and over here - tourism fell by nearly half (Photo: Reuters)
The number of tourists visiting Egypt slumped 46 per cent in the first quarter when mass protests ousted President Hosni Mubarak, the government's statistics agency said on Sunday.
The unrest that began on 25 January prompted embassies to issue travel warnings and many tour groups cancelled trips, throwing an industry that is a major source of foreign currency into crisis.
Foreign reserves fell to US$28 billion in April, the lowest in four years.
"The tourism industry is still affected by the recent events in Egypt causing a great decline in the number of tourists ... which reached 1.9 million tourists," the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS) said.
Egypt's economy contracted an estimated 7 per cent in the January-March quarter. The International Monetary Fund has projected growth of 1.0 per cent this year, down from 5.1 per cent in 2010.
File photo of an April 25 demonstration in support of Mubarak in front of the state-TV building. (Daily News Egypt photo/Hassan Ibrahim)
By Safaa Abdoun /Daily News Egypt June 21, 2011, 7:21 pm
CAIRO: Supporters of ousted president Hosni Mubarak are calling for a June 24 demonstration demanding that his trial be canceled and his legacy honored.
Utilizing some of the tactics online activists used to galvanize support for the uprising that ousted Mubarak, his supporters are attracting users through the social networking site, Facebook.
In addition to posters spotted this week in various parts of the capital, a Facebook page called “Egypt’s Third Revolution: Mubarak’s Children are Coming” has attracted over 8,000 users so far.
Its founders call for releasing Mubarak ― currently held in a hospital in Sharm El-Sheikh ― and canceling his trial, which is set to start on Aug. 3.
They also call for reinstalling his name on all his “achievement,” or landmarks such as the central metro stations where his name was scratched off and replaced with “The Martyrs.” They also want him to be honored by the armed forces.
The group seems to be affiliated with other online groups, most notably one with over 90,000 members called “I’m Sorry, President,” which is calling for users to take to the “square” on June 24 ― in reference to Mostafa Mahmoud Square in Mohandiseen that has become the center for Mubarak supporters since Feb. 2.
Several groups and pages were set up under the same name and for the same purpose.
“The elderly can’t be humiliated and for this we are going down to the square,” reads the page of one of the groups. The members explain that they do not support corruption but Mubarak’s pride and dignity is tied with that of every Egyptian.
“I’m against the humiliation, I will go to the square,” the group stated.
A similar group, which has more than 2,180 members called “Mubarak’s Sons,” posts news about the ousted president and his past “accomplishments.”
The same founders of these groups are launching a website in the upcoming weeks called “Al-Mo’amra” (The Conspiracy), an online news portal defending Mubarak and his family against what they describe as ongoing defamation campaigns.
They will be highlighting the negative consequences of the revolution, including the security vacuum, the terror the people have been subjected to and other social, political and economic downfalls post Jan. 25.
Analysts and observers have blamed Mubarak for ordering the withdrawal of the police from the streets in late January in order to create that security vacuum in a failed bid to stem growing protests.
One of the founders, Ahmed Gamal, told news reports that they did not receive any funding and all of the 40 staff members are working on a volunteer basis. Someone has offered a room at an education center in Dar El-Salam to be used as an office for managing the website, he added.
He also said that they have a network of reporters from all over the country which are all supporters and fans of Mubarak, again all of them working on a volunteer basis.
Gamal is also calling for the launch of an online channel called “Mubarak and the People” where they will feature the accomplishments of the former president and his humanitarian stances.
He asserted that they will continue working even though they are expected to be heavily criticized and attacked by the people. They are also calling for a demonstration on Aug. 3, which is the date scheduled for the first court session in Mubarak’s trial.
Clashes broke out on April 24 in front of the state television building Maspero between supporters of ousted Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak and others who wanted him prosecuted, with minimal injuries.
The pro-Mubarak group protesting last April described him as a “symbol” that can’t be put on trial, even though some didn’t object to prosecuting his two sons. One protester told Daily News Egypt at the time that the trial won’t be fair.
Pro-Mubarak protest at mosque ends in violence
Pro-Mubarak demonstrators in front of the well-known Moustafa Mahmoud Mosque had a huge brawl with anti-Mubarak groups, causing traffic problems and heavily stepped-up security
Sherif Tarek, Saturday 25 Jun 2011
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Tens of protesters hung numerous banners that bear pro-Mubarak slogans in Moustafa Mahmoud Square (Photo: Sherif Tarek)
Several dozen protesters rallied in front of the Moustafa Mahmoud Mosque in the Cairo middle class district of Mohandessin to voice their support for ousted president Hosni Mubarak, but their protest prompted pandemonium by the end of the day as they clashed with anti-Mubarak people.
The violent brawls resulted in many injuries on both sides as well as varied damage to eight cars in the famous Moustafa Mahmoud Square, where Mubarak loyalists have been occasionally congregating over the past few months.
Pro- and anti-Mubarak demonstrators hurled Molotov cocktails, empty bottles and rocks at each other, creating a warzone and causing a huge traffic problem in the upscale district of Mohandessein in the late hours of Friday.
Central security troops blocked the main thoroughfare, Gamet El-Dewal Street, for pedestrians and cars not to get damaged. Consequently, numerous vehicles had to drive on surrounding streets against traffic.
Police and military forces eventually contained the situation and restored order. Central security troops remain heavily present until Saturday morning, along with fire trucks and ambulances.
Before the violence erupted, tens of protesters constructed a small stage, lifted banners and chanted pro-Mubarak slogans in front of the Moustafa Mahmoud Mosque after Friday’s prayers.
The banners revealed for the first time the intention to form a party that supports the ousted president; one banner read “Mubarak Peace Party: under construction.”
Other banners and chants were conciliatory; citing Mubarak’s dignity, calling him the hero of war and peace and telling him to take no notice of a “minority” who degraded him. Other banners were condemnatory, saying that “Yesterday’s revolutionaries are today’s thugs” and calling for political groups, such as the April 6 Youth Movement and Kefaya to be put on trial.
The protesters also spoke against TV presenters Hala Sarhan, Amr El-Leithy and Reem Maged, calling them hypocrites.
Mubarak, 83, was forced to step down on 11 February after millions protested against him all over Egypt for 18 days. At first citizens started in peaceful demonstrations, and after being attacked by police and hired thugs, it turned into a full-scale uprising.
Once the then-president Mubarak stepped down he remained under house arrest, along with his family members before he and both of his sons, Alaa and Gamal, were remanded in police custody pending investigations.
The latter two were incarcerated in Tora Prison, along with numerous former ministers and high-profile government officials.
The vast majority of Egyptians, even those who live abroad, wanted to see Mubarak’s 30-year rule come to an end. No sooner had he been brought down than exuberant celebrations broke out across Egypt and in many other countries.
Over 100 pro-Mubarak demonstrators call for his release
Supporters of ousted Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak shout slogans while holding a banner reading "I will die in Egypt because I am one of Egypt's eagles" during a protest on June 24. (AFP Photo/STR)
By Ahmed Hazem / Daily News Egypt June 24, 2011, 8:11 pm
CAIRO: Over 100 supporters of ousted president Hosni Mubarak gathered in Mostafa Mahmoud Square in Mohendessin demanding the cancellation of his trial and honoring of his legacy, with some calling for his return to presidency.
The demonstration was mainly organized by the founders and administrators of the Facebook Page “I’m Sorry President,” a page that attracted more than 90,000 of Mubarak supporters.
The organizers created a Facebook page, “Egypt’s Third Revolution: Mubarak’s Children are Coming,” through which they called for a demonstration in Mostafa Mahmoud Square on June 24 under the slogan “The great man should not be insulted.” The newly created page attracted over 9,000 fans.
Protesters called for releasing Mubarak ― currently held in a hospital in Sharm El-Sheikh ― and canceling his trial, set to start on Aug. 3. He is facing charges of corruption and ordering the killing of protesters. An official fact-finding mission said 846 were killed and over 6,000 injured during the 18-day uprising that ousted the president.
Protesters also called for reinstalling his name on all his “achievements,” where his name was scratched off. A recent preliminary court verdict ordered his name removed from hundreds of state properties.
Karim Hussein, the administrator of the Facebook page “I’m Sorry President” said that no material evidence was submitted against Mubarak and, thus, demanded his immediate release. “We also demand the punishment of those who falsely accused president Mubarak.”
“Respect and dignity are the basic rights of any human being,” said Assem Abou Al Khier, another co- administrator of the same page.
Protesters set up a stage outside the mosque― whose yard has become home to pro-Mubarak protests since Feb. 2― where speeches were given and songs were played in support of the ousted president.
"Mubarak, the country is collapsing without you," they chanted, holding pictures of Mubarak, as passersby hurled insults at them for supporting the ousted leader.
“I’m here to support president Mubarak as he peacefully stepped down, unlike other Arab leaders who are killing their own people,” Yasser Abdel-Alim, a blacksmith, told Daily News Egypt. He refused calling Mubarak the “ousted president,” saying he willingly stepped down.
Madiha Abdel-Aziz, a housewife, denounced all insults to Mubarak and demanded the immediate cancellation of his trial. “Mubarak has been defending Egyptians for 30 years,” she said.
Chants repeated by protesters included: “The people demand the president’s freedom,” “We love you President Mubarak,” “We came because we love our father and will not leave even if we were killed,” “Tahrir Square doesn’t represent all Egypt” and “This is not a revolution; it’s revenge.”
“If employees in a company committed a wrongdoing, they are the ones who should be punished not the company’s CEO. That’s my opinion in Mubarak’s case and I believe that what’s happening to him is unfair,” Mohamed Gala, an undergraduate student at the faculty of commerce, told DNE.
“Even if Mubarak’s name was removed from landmarks, history will always remember these landmarks as Mubarak’s achievements,” Islam Badr, a pharmacist, said.
He took the demands presented by protesters a stop further. “I demand that Mubarak regain his position as Egypt’s president and then peacefully renounces presidency to whomever he sees eligible,” he explained, “I believe this is the only acceptable way to express gratitude for Mubarak and restore his dignity.”
Hassan Al Ghandour, a former military officer who served with the Republican Guards, agreed with Badr. He said he created two Youtube channels, titled “Mubarak for the People” and “The Egyptian Eagle,” in addition to a website in support of Mubarak. He said Egypt’s next president should be a member of the military not a civilian.
“I came to apologize and repay the favor for President Mubarak” Mohanad Gaber, the administrator of the Facebook page “October’s Eagle” and one of the demonstration’s organizers, told DNE. Gaber wanted the military to officially honor Mubarak.
Mubarak's lawyer Farid El-Deeb told AFP this week that the former president was suffering from stomach cancer and that "the tumors are growing."
Earlier this week clashes took place between pro and anti Mubarak groups outside Moustafa Mahmoud Mosque while the former were planning for their demonstration. Both groups were arrested by police, reconciled and released shortly.
“We were heavily mistreated and insulted inside the police station to the extent that the police officer asked the prisoners to physically attack us as he put us in jail,” Mina Nabil, one of the organizers, claimed.
Until press time, no clashes were seen or reported at the demonstration site. –Additional reporting by AFP.
Clashes erupt between martyrs' families and police in Tahrir square
Families of martyrs protested tonight in front of the interior ministry of Egypt, clashes escalated and police turned violent
Ahram Online , Tuesday 28 Jun 2011
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Police showered Tahrir square with tear gas bombs on Tuesday night, and clashes between families of martyrs and state security forces continued until early this morning.
Hundreds of demonstrators on tuesday night, threw stones at the interior ministry of Egypt today in down town Cairo, and accused the police of killing their sons.
Security forces cordoned the area and according to eyewitnesses fired tear gas bombs and shots ino the air to disperse protesters.
Police chased protesters towards tahrir square and fired tear gas bombs at thousands of protesters.
A statement released an hour ago by the interior ministry of Egypt denied that police attacked protesters and claimed they were thugs.
However Egyptian TV channels Al Hayat and On TV aired live phootage of the clashes. Tahrir square and surrounding down town streets looked like a battlefield covered with a smoky cloud of tear gas.
Ambulances could be seen rushing intoTahrir square, as well as volunteer doctors to support the injuried in the square.
Also thousands of demonstrators rushed in solidarity with protesters in Tahrir square as violence escalated and chants could be heard "People want the regime down," "People want field marshal Tantawi out," and "Down with the interior ministry."
Egypt's security clashes with crowds
4 hrs ago - AP 1:23 | 420 views
Egyptian security forces firing tear gas clashed with more than 5,000 rock-throwing protesters in central Cairo late Tuesday, leaving dozens injured in the latest unrest to rattle the country, witnesses and medical officials said. (June 28)
AP
ポーズをとるエジプトのデモ参加者（29日、カイロ）
デモは28日夕から29日午前にかけて行われ、2月の反政府運動で死亡した人たちの肉親らを中心とした約5000人が参加し、治安部隊を圧倒した。保健相の発表によると、投石や催涙弾などで1000人以上が軽傷を負ったが、29日午後の時点で入院していたのは16人だけだった。エジプト国営通信ＭＥＮＡによると、警察は40人を逮捕した。これには米国、英国籍各1人も含まれている。
EFSAの声明によると、欧州疾病予防管理センター（European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control、ECDC）と共同で実施したリスク評価で、2009年から2010年にかけてエジプトから輸出されたフェヌグリークが感染に関係している可能性があることが示された。ただ、陽性反応が1件も出ておらず、「フェヌグリークが例外なく全ての感染例の原因なのかどうかは、依然として不確かな部分が多い」という。
EFSAの声明によると、欧州疾病予防管理センター（European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control、ECDC）と共同で実施したリスク評価で、2009年から2010年にかけてエジプトから輸出されたフェヌグリークが感染に関係している可能性があることが示された。ただ、陽性反応が1件も出ておらず、「フェヌグリークが例外なく全ての感染例の原因なのかどうかは、依然として不確かな部分が多い」という。
米国 Twitter は2011年6月30日、現在ミニ Blog サービス「Twitter」へのツイート（投稿）数が1日当たり2億件を超えるようになったと発表した。これらのツイートを紙に置き換えると1日で1,000万ページになり、トルストイの『戦争と平和』に換算すると8,163冊に相当する。これを積み上げると高さ1,470フィート（約448m）に達し、地上高世界第2位のビル「台北101」に迫る。すべてのツイートを読むには、31年かかるという。
これまで1日当たりのツイート数は、2009年1月200万件、2010年3月5,000万件、2010年6月6,500万件、2011年2月1億4,000万件と増えてきた。2011年3月11日には1億7,700万件となり、同日の東日本大震災とそれにともなう津波の影響か1秒当たりのツイート（投稿）数（TPS：Tweets per second）が合計5回にわたり 5,000TPS を超えるなど急増した。
Friday’s anti-police protests in Egypt unopposed by security
Security and military forces were notably absent on Friday, as protesters took to the streets across Egypt, calling for swift retribution against the 'martyr's killers'
Ahram Online, Friday 1 Jul 2011
By 6:00pm on Friday, tens of thousands were still gathered in downtown Cairo's Tahrir Square after a day of mass protests. Demonstrators hit the streets in a number of Egyptian cities following Friday’s prayer, showing support for the martyrs’ families, deploring police brutality and calling for swift and decisive actions against the culprits.
Police and military forces were notably absent, presumably avoiding further clashes with the protesters as they vented their anger over the events which transpired on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.
About two hundred or so protesters occupied Tahrir Square overnight in preparation for Friday’s demonstrations. Hours before the start of Friday prayer, the square begin to swell with new arrivals, and by noon, the epicentre of the January 25 Revolution was nearly packed with protesters. Many came to express their viewpoints and criticisms on stage via the loud speakers which have become typical of Tahrir's Friday demonstrations.
As the heat became unbearable, protesters left, vowing to return to the square by 4:00pm.
Keeping with their promises, a massive march kicked off at 4:00pm heading towards the Cabinet offices to reiterate the demands of the martyrs’ families.
Ten political movements, including the Revolution Youth Coalition, and seven parties, including Karama, the Democratic Front and the Tagammu Party, took part in the march.
A group of people deviated from the march and moved towards the ministry of interior, where military police forces were deployed.
According to an Ahram Online reporter, some of the protesters threw rocks at the ministry while the rest stopped them, chanting “peaceful, peaceful.”
According to several accounts on Twitter, central security personnel stoned them back.
Similarly, certain demonstrators from the bigger group of protesters, numbering around 4,000, penetrated the Cabinet offices amid a notable lack of security presence.
The intruders were pulled back by their fellow protesters as well.
Chants against Egypt's de-facto leader Field Marshall Mohammed Hussein Tantawi were could be heard throughout the day.
In the coastal city of Suez, El-Arbaeen Square witnessed a rally led by the martyrs' families. The Revolutionary Youth staged a sit-in in Suez on Thursday in preparation for Friday's protest. As in the capital, neither police nor military forces were deployed there.
To the north, demonstrators in Alexandria blocked the Corniche Street to protest police brutality. Among the protesters were members of the Revolutionary Youth Coalition, whom the popular committees have been trying to persuade to end the road blockage.
Protesters across the nation have unanimously called for the suspension of all officers accused of killing demonstrators during the January 25 Revolution. There are also calls for the execution of former minister of interior Habib El-Adly who is to have ordered the use of live rounds on protesters during the 18-day uprising.
Furthermore, protesters are stressing the urgency of trying ousted president Hosni Mubarak, his two sons, Alaa and Gamal, and the rest of the former regime.
Among the other key demands are an end to the military trials of civilians, an inclusive political process and the freedom of expression and the media. The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, which took power when Mubarak was ousted, has vowed to bring to justice those found guilty of abuse or corruption, ordering the trial of several old regime figures, including Mubarak.
Many activists, however, have criticised the fast pace of the trials, demanding a credible and thorough process for the sake of justice, not revenge.
Tensions between civilians and the police have escalated since Tuesday night, when altercations between the martyrs’ families and police forces took place in front of the ministry of interior as well as at the Balloon Theatre in Agouza, Cairo. According to a number of accounts, thugs, who remain unidentified until now, were involved in the fray.
During the 18-day uprising, an estimated 1,000 were killed while a further 1,000 remain missing.
Mubarak, his younger son Gamal and former minister of interior Habib El-Adly are believed to be the main instigators of the police force's deadly tactics towards the protesters.
Fresh clashes have broken out in Tahrir Square, reportedly between demonstrators and wandering sellers, with reports of many casualties
Hatem Maher, Sunday 3 Jul 2011
Free-for-all clashes erupted in Tahrir Square Sunday amid an ongoing sit-in begun mid last week.
Many bladed weapons were seen in the large-scale scuffle, and columns of black smoke were seen rising from tents erected at the sit-in site.
It was not clear what caused the mayhem but immediate reports suggested that wandering sellers were involved in clashes with Tahrir demonstrators.
Egypt's PM formally invited to Tahrir protests: Revolution's Youth Coalition
Egypt's Revolution Youth Coalition held a press conference Monday to announce their position on the anticipated 8 July Tahrir Square protest - and invited PM Sharaf to join them in Tahrir
Zeinab El Gundy, Monday 4 Jul 2011
JULY 06, 2011 06:47
エジプトの首都カイロのタハリール広場には、３０年間この国を鉄拳統治したムバラク前大統領が退いて６ヵ月余りが経った今も、毎週金曜日にはデモの参加者が集まる。不安と恐怖が蔓延した過去のデモとは大きく違う。警察の姿は見えず、人々はこれまでの不満を自由に表出している。エジプト国立図書館のムハンマド・サブル館長は、「独裁者が退いたからといって、直ちに社会が安定すると望むことは過度な欲だ。８７年に民主化運動を経験した韓国も、過渡期の後遺症をよく知っているだろう」と述べた。
