Baghdad government says Iraq nationals can fly home to escape political turmoil or receive food and monetary aid Iraq has offered food, financial aid and free flights home to its citizens who had moved to Egypt to escape civil strife at home but may now feel threatened by unrest in their host country, officials said. The Iraqi government has helped some 2,000 Iraqis leave Egypt since the outbreak of a popular uprising against the Egyptian president, Hosni Mubarak, on 25 January. Those deciding to stay in Egypt were offered food and financial aid, said Saif Sabah, a spokesman for Iraq’s migration and displacement ministry. While the flights to Iraq are free, Iraqis will have to pay if they wish to return to Egypt at a later date, Sabah said. Hundreds of thousands of Iraqis have fled their homeland since the 2003 American-led invasion, and the government since has struggled with trying to persuade them to come home to help rebuild their nation. Meanwhile, Iraqis have staged protests against corruption and poor services in several areas of Baghdad. In the famous al-Mutanabi book market, several hundred demonstrators held banners reading, “No to corruption – yes for freedom” and “Our streets are full of mud and your pockets are full of money”. Protesters briefly scuffled with troops. The march then moved into Baghdad’s own Tahrir Square – a namesake of Cairo’s centre of mass protests – where they joined about 300 people chanting against government corruption and Iranian influence over its leaders. In Sadr City, a Shia Muslim neighbourhood, about 2,000 people marched through the streets. Some carried empty oil barrels to symbolise the irony of widespread poverty in a country that sits on top of one of the world’s largest oil reserves. “We are the country of oil, and there is not one drop available,” read one banner, referring to the shortage of fuel for heating homes during the winter. Egypt Middle East Iraq guardian.co.uk
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International leaders express dissatisfaction with Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak’s speech, in which he showed defiance in the face of mass protests calling for his resignation
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Military says it will guarantee democratic elections but experts say younger officers could split from Mubarak supporters The Egyptian military has thrown its weight behind Hosni Mubarak’s decision not to resign as president and to transfer most of his powers to his vice-president. In a statement read out on Friday morning, the military announced it would lift a 30-year-old state of emergency “as soon as current circumstances end”, but gave no specific timeframe. The statement – called “Communique No
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Hosni Mubarak’s insulting speech showed why he ought to go, but the struggle on the streets is no longer the only game in town The victory celebrations in Tahrir Square had been going on for hours when the moment arrived for what almost everyone assumed would be Hosni Mubarak’s resignation speech, but the Egyptian president was determined to tease them a little longer. On state TV, the news bulletin came and went, with no sign of the president. Then came the weather forecast. Then a promotional film showing what a wonderful place Egypt is and then, rather surprisingly, a discussion about high-level corruption. Finally, the man who has presided over high-level corruption for the last 30 years appeared – about 40 minutes late. By that stage, anyone tuned to Alarabiya – the Saudi TV channel set up as a rival to al-Jazeera – already knew what he was going to say. Someone had leaked the speech to them. And what a speech . By the standards of any modern politician, it was truly dreadful: in turns vain, arrogant, patronising, condescending and defiant. Above all, it showed Mubarak totally out of touch with the mood of the country and the will of the people that he governs. The only thing to be said in its favour is that it illustrated, in just a few hundred words, all the reasons why he ought to go (even if he’s still refusing to do so). He began by addressing the people as his “sons and daughters” – a phrase that might slip past unnoticed, though in fact it encapsulates the fundamental problem with Arab leaders and how they perceive themselves and their citizens. They behave like the traditional head of an Arab household, the paterfamilias – a remote, supposedly wise and almost God-like figure who rarely speaks but, when he does, must always be obeyed because he knows what’s best for his children. By the time he got to “I am determined to live up to my promises” a few sentences further on, it was clear he had no intention of resigning – and he followed this up with a series of “commitments” which, on past form, cannot be taken at face value. He even appeared to backtrack on Egypt’s much criticised and semi-permanent “emergency” law, saying it would be lifted only when “calm and stability” return and conditions are “suitable”. Just a few months ago, the regime had been promising that the 43-year “emergency” would end as soon as the draft of its new anti-terrorism law had been finalised. Before long, though, the speech was drifting off into familiar blather about Mubarak’s service to the country and his military achievements: “I was as young as Egypt’s youth today, when I learned the Egyptian military honour, allegiance and sacrifice for my country. I have spent a lifetime defending its soil and sovereignty. I witnessed its wars, with its defeats and victories … It was the happiest day of my life when I raised the flag of Egypt over Sinai.” In Tahrir, the cheers turned to jeers and chants of “Mubarak out!” resumed. By the end, people were taking off their shoes and waving them at the TV screens – the ultimate Arab insult. What are we to make of these extraordinary events, and what do they herald for today? One theory among Egyptians is that the speech was intentionally provocative, calculated to arouse the ire of the protesters, goading them into violence – and thus providing a pretext for martial law. That may be a bit too conspiratorial. There is also the mysterious business of the ominously titled ” Communique Number One ” from the supreme council of the armed forces saying that the military has begun taking “necessary measures to protect the nation” and “support the legitimate demands of the people”. What exactly does that mean, and how does it relate to Mubarak’s non-resignation speech? Indeed, why did Mubarak need to make a speech at all if he is not resigning? According to reports, the supreme council has met only three times in its history: in 1967 and 1973 (when the country was at war) – and on Thursday. Thursday’s meeting was held without its chairman, Mubarak, and apparently the meeting was adjourned without formally concluding. A second communique has failed to clarify the army’s position. Possibly, as one Egyptian commentator suggested on the BBC, the army was attempting a coup which Mubarak had fended off by threatening to unleash his Republican Guard upon them. Whatever the truth in that, when the head of the ruling party says it’s time for the president to step aside, when the government media seem increasingly uncertain about the message they are supposed to be conveying and three former ministers have been forbidden to leave the country pending possibly corruption charges, the inescapable conclusion is that the struggle on the streets is no longer the only game in town – and that key members of the regime are now fighting amongst themselves. Egypt Hosni Mubarak Protest Middle East Brian Whitaker guardian.co.uk
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In a televised address to the nation, Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak hands some power to his deputy, but says he will stay on
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• Mubarak’s defiance enrages protesters • Mass demonstrations beginning • Military believed to be considering its position • US criticises Mubarak ترجم هذه الصفحة إلى العربية 8.49am: Here is some video of Hosni Mubarak’s speech last night. ____ 8.32am: President Hosni Mubarak’s announcement last night that he would not stand down after a day of fevered speculation has enraged protesters . In a televised address he stunned crowds massed in Cairo’s Tahrir Square and elsewhere by saying he would hand power to his vice-president, Omar Suleiman, but stay on as president until elections in September. Mass demonstrations are expected once more today as opponents of Mubarak’s regime show their anger at his refusal to step down. Protesters are already gathering in Tahrir Square, outside the state TV building in Cairo and the presidential palace. The president’s statement not only angered the Egyptian protesters but also the US , as Barack Obama issued his strongest criticism of Mubarak so far, criticising the Egyptian government’s failure to put forward a “credible, concrete and unequivocal path to democracy”. The military is expected to issue a statement in the next two hours, before Friday prayers, amid continued speculation of a military takeover. There are hopes among some protesters that the military will oversee the transition to democracy. Egypt Middle East Hosni Mubarak Protest Live video Haroon Siddique guardian.co.uk
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US president calls for end to state of emergency and peaceful transition to democracy The Egyptian people have been told that there was a transition of authority, but it is not yet clear that this transition is immediate, meaningful or sufficient. Too many Egyptians remain unconvinced that the government is serious about a genuine transition to democracy, and it is the responsibility of the government to speak clearly to the Egyptian people and the world. The Egyptian government must put forward a credible, concrete and unequivocal path toward genuine democracy, and they have not yet seized that opportunity. As we have said from the beginning of this unrest, the future of Egypt will be determined by the Egyptian people. But the United States has also been clear that we stand for a set of core principles. We believe that the universal rights of the Egyptian people must be respected, and their aspirations must be met. We believe that this transition must immediately demonstrate irreversible political change, and a negotiated path to democracy. To that end, we believe that the emergency law should be lifted. We believe that meaningful negotiations with the broad opposition and Egyptian civil society should address the key questions confronting Egypt’s future: protecting the fundamental rights of all citizens; revising the constitution and other laws to demonstrate irreversible change, and jointly developing a clear roadmap to elections that are free and fair. We therefore urge the Egyptian government to move swiftly to explain the changes that have been made, and to spell out in clear and unambiguous language the step by step process that will lead to democracy and the representative government that the Egyptian people seek. Going forward, it will be essential that the universal rights of the Egyptian people be respected. There must be restraint by all parties. Violence must be forsaken. It is imperative that the government not respond to the aspirations of their people with repression or brutality. The voices of the Egyptian people must be heard. The Egyptian people have made it clear that there is no going back to the way things were: Egypt has changed, and its future is in the hands of the people. Those who have exercised their right to peaceful assembly represent the greatness of the Egyptian people, and are broadly representative of Egyptian society. We have seen young and old, rich and poor, Muslim and Christian join together, and earn the respect of the world through their non-violent calls for change. In that effort, young people have been at the forefront, and a new generation has emerged. They have made it clear that Egypt must reflect their hopes, fulfil their highest aspirations, and tap their boundless potential. In these difficult times, I know that the Egyptian people will persevere, and they must know that they will continue to have a friend in the United States of America. Barack Obama Egypt Hosni Mubarak Obama administration US politics US foreign policy Protest Middle East guardian.co.uk
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The main headlines on Al Jazeera English, featuring the latest news and reports from around the world.
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US president says the Egyptian government has yet to put forward a ‘credible, concrete and unequivocal path to democracy’ after President Hosni Mubarak refuses to step down Barack Obama expressed dismay at the failure of Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak to stand down and said the Egyptian government has yet to put forward a “credible, concrete and unequivocal path to democracy”, as Egypt prepared today for what protesters predicted would be the biggest protests yet. The US president’s patience appeared to be nearing its end after being wrong-footed and embarrassed earlier in the day by an expectation that Mubarak was planning to stand down. The US unhappiness with Mubarak was echoed by European leaders. The White House, the state department and the Pentagon will be seeking explanations from their counterparts in Egypt as to what went wrong. Obama’s critics claimed he had been set up and the whole incident reflected his naivety. The Obama administration had hinted early on Thursday that Mubarak was on the eve of departure. The CIA director, Leon Panetta, giving evidence before the House intelligence committee, predicted there was a “a strong likelihood that Mubarak may step down” by Thursday night. Obama, on a trip to Michigan, shared the sense of optimism, saying the world was “witnessing history unfold”. But these hopes were dashed by Mubarak in a televised speech, leaving Obama and Panetta looking foolish. Panetta said later his comments had been based on erroneous news reports rather than CIA reports. Obama, returning from Michigan, watched Mubarak’s statement aboard Air Force One and, on landing, rushed to the White House for an unscheduled meeting with his national security advisers. He issued a statement afterwards that amounted to a rebuke, albeit mild, of Mubarak for not standing down. After a fortnight of dithering, it was the strongest statement by Obama in favour of democracy. “The Egyptian government must put forward a credible, concrete and unequivocal path toward genuine democracy, and they have not yet seized that opportunity,” Obama said, reflecting his dismay with Mubarak. He praised the protesters, aligning the US clearly behind them for the first time: “Those who have exercised their right to peaceful assembly represent the greatness of the Egyptian people, and are broadly representative of Egyptian society.” This amounted to a rejection of Mubarak’s claim that foreigners were behind the protests. Demonstrating scepticism with Mubarak’s claim to have handed over power to his vice-president Omar Suleiman, Obama said any reforms had to be “irreversible”. The Obama administration has been putting pressure on Mubarak since last week to stand down straight away, but Mubarak, in what appeared to be a direct snub to the US president, said he would not bow to international pressure. Mubarak’s response offers further evidence of the US’s slow decline from its status as superpower to a position where it is unable to decisively influence events in Egypt, in spite of that country being one of the biggest recipients of US military aid. The administration has shifted from solidly supporting Mubarak, to suggesting he should go now, only to back him at the weekend to remain in office until the autumn – a decision that secretary of state, Hillary Clinton, reversed hours later when she threw US support behind Suleiman. The foreign secretary, William Hague, issued a statement on Thursday night saying he was studying Mubarak’s statement closely. “It is not immediately clear what powers are being handed over and what the full implications are.” He called for an urgent but orderly transition to a broader government. Guido Westerwelle, the German foreign minister, said Mubarak’s speech “was not the hoped-for step forward”. Nicolas Sarkozy expressed hope that Egypt would avoid an Iranian-style revolution: “I hope with all my heart for Egypt’s nascent democracy that they take time to create the structures and principles that will help them find the path to democracy and not another form of dictatorship, religious dictatorship, as happened in Iran.” Kenneth Roth, executive director of Human Rights Watch, expressed disappointment: “Mubarak’s speech is far from the needed break with the abusive system of the past 30 years. The US and EU governments should use their influence and their aid to encourage real reform.” Robert Springborg, professor of national security affairs at the US Naval Postgraduate School, described Mubarak’s refusal to leave as “an enormously provocative step”. Stephen Grand, a Middle East specialist at Washington’s Brookings Institution, said the US must “use all of its leverage to get Mubarak to recognise that he needs to leave”, and cast doubt on Suleiman’s leadership. “Omar Suleiman has shown that he’s not a credible figure,” he added. Barack Obama Hosni Mubarak Egypt Obama administration US foreign policy Protest Ewen MacAskill guardian.co.uk
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