Egypt wakes to new political landscape
Euphoric Egyptians have awoken to a new dawn after 30 years of autocratic rule under Hosni Mubarak finally ended and the country was placed under military rule following 18 days of protests. Mr Mubarak's resignation overnight saw celebrations sweep across Egypt and the world as the protests instantly turned to celebration when vice president Omar Suleiman made the announcement on national television. Western powers have called on the army to ensure a peaceful transition to democracy, with UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon urging the army to allow free and fair elections. It is now morning in Cairo and things have almost returned to normal. The Egyptian military has begun removing the barricades around Tahrir Square, the epicentre of the popular revolt that drove Mr Mubarak from power. Civilian volunteers helped the soldiers remove the metal barriers, barbed wire and burned wrecks of cars left over from the uprising. Many of the tanks have simply disappeared from the streets, as have the protesters who were out all night honking horns and waving flags. But in Tahrir Square, the central point for protests over the past 18 days, they are still camping out and waiting for the army to make its next move. The military has seized control of the country and made big promises about moving towards democracy and lifting emergency law. But at the moment, there is no detail. The military maintains the trust of the people, who are still euphoric at the peaceful overthrow of Mr Mubarak. But moving to democracy is not in the Egyptian army's interests and protesters will be on the lookout for any signs of stalling. Field Marshal Mohammed Hussein Tantawi, 75, will sack the cabinet, suspend parliament and co-opt judges from the Supreme Court to rewrite the constitution in what some are calling a coup by consensus.
abc.net.au
2/12/11
Yes. Allah willing, you're next, beotch!
Remember Sludge dwellers, you heard it hear first. I'll bet almost anything, Iran faces a similar wave of protests that don't stop until the Mullahs also "step down". Sooner or later.
