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Sat, Jan 29, 2011 | Jerusalem Post

Egyptians show an anti-Mubarak slogan in Cairo, Egypt, Saturday, Jan. 29, 2011. Hundreds of anti-government protesters have returned to Cairo's central Tahrir Square, chanting slogans against Hosni Mubarak just hours after the Egyptian president fired his Cabinet but refused to step down. (AP Photo/Ahmed Ali)

Thousands of Egyptian Protesters Defy Curfew in Cairo

Jerusalem Post reports:

A massive crowd of tens of thousands calling for the ouster of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak gathered in the streets and squares of downtown Cairo Saturday evening breaking a government imposed curfew, with protesters making clear they reject promises of reform and a new government offered by the embattled leader trying to hang on to power.

Dozens of tanks and armored personnel carriers fanned out across the city of 18 million, guarding key government building a day after large, violent confrontations emboldened the movement demanding a change of leadership. There was rampant looting across the sprawling city of 18 million and a growing feeling of fear and insecurity.

In the city’s main Tahrir Square, at the center of Saturday’s massive demonstration, there was only a light military presence — a few tanks — and soldiers were not intervening. Few police were seen in the crowds and the protest began peacefully but then police opened fire on some people in the crowd near the Interior Ministry and a number of them were wounded by gunshots. It was not clear whether they used rubber bullets or live ammunition.

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Egyptian Cabinet officially resigns after days of protests

Jerusalem Post reports:

Egyptian state television on Saturday said that the Cabinet of Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif has resigned on the president’s orders.

The Cabinet’s resignation on Saturday follows days of anti-government protests and just hours after embattled President Hosni Mubarak told the nation in a televised address that he has decided the sack the Cabinet.

A military officer was quoted as saying that troops would “not fire a single bullet on Egyptians”, regardless of where the orders to do so come from.

The officer also said the only solution to the current unrest was “for Mubarak to leave”.

Overnight, the government called in military forces and by morning the army had replaced police in guarding government buildings and other key areas.

Several tanks were parked in the vast Tahrir Square, but soldiers did not intervene in Saturday’s protest there. Not far from the square, the army sealed off the road leading to the parliament and Cabinet buildings.

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Egypt’s Mubarak names vice president for 1st time

Jerusalem Post reports:

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak named a vice president Saturday for the first time since coming to power nearly 30 years ago. It was a clear step toward setting up a successor in the midst of the biggest challenge ever to his rule from tens of thousands of anti-government protesters.

Mubarak named his intelligence chief and close confidant Omar Suleiman, state television reported.

Mubarak was widely seen as grooming his son Gamal to succeed him, possibly even as soon as in presidential elections planned for later this year. However, there was significant public opposition to the hereditary succession.

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12 dead as Egyptian police, Beduins clash in Sinai

Jerusalem Post reports:

Riots in Egypt spread to the Sinai Peninsula on Saturday as Palestinian news agency Ma’an reported that 12 Egyptian policemen were killed during clashes with the Beduin residents of Sinai.

As a result of severe clashes between the security forces and Beduins in Sinai, part of the border fence at Rafah was broken.

Palestinian eyewitnesses reported that Hamas security forces rushed to the scene to protect the border between Gaza and Egypt over fears that Gazans would infiltrate into Egypt.

Ma’an reported that armed groups from Rafah attacked buildings in Rafah belonging to Egyptian security forces and set fire to them.

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