Both state-owned and independent papers dedicate today's front page headlines to the "Day of Anger," a day and night of unprecedented protests against President Hosni Mubarak's regime. Al-Ahram is the only paper to pay little attention to the important incidents that took place yesterday, reporting that security forces “succeeded” in dispersing crowds in Tahrir Square. In addition, the state-owned paper posts another small piece that exceptionally covers 25 January from an optimistic perspective, reporting that citizens and police officers exchanged chocolates and flowers in celebration of Police Day.
Al-Gomhorriya, another government-owned paper, reports that the opposition movements Kefaya and 6 April gathered mainly in Tahrir Square, Shubra and Mohandessin. A security source categorically denied that some female protesters were arrested for their participation in the large-scale demonstration. The paper also quotes Interior Minister Habib al-Adly as saying that Egypt's security forces are capable of deterring any threats against the country.
Al-Akhbar bears on the top of its front page a headline reading: “Demonstrations in some areas…and stability in most of the governorates.” The state-owned paper writes that yesterday’s protest started peacefully and then turned into riots and clashes between the marchers and security apparatus, which the paper attributes to the participation of the banned Muslim Brotherhood. It also reported that, while three people were killed in Suez, 88 protesters and 72 security officers were injured following violent confrontations.
In a statement to Al-Akhbar, Shura Council Speaker Safwat al-Sherif insisted that there is a big difference between freedom of expression and chaos. Al-Sherif also said Egyptians must appreciate the current stability of the country, warning against utilizing freedom to cross the lines.
Al-Wafd paper allocates an entire page to coverage of the “Angry uprising in Egypt,” as it describes Tuesday’s demonstration.
Security forces failed to break up the demonstration which, according to the liberal party paper, was the largest since the bread riots in January 1977. Police resorted to tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowds, the report says.
The demonstrations were launched from five main areas. From the High Court of Judiciary and the Lawyers Syndicate protesters marched toward Tahrir Square. Protesters also marched from Gameat al-Dowal Street to join other demonstrators in Mohandessin and on Tahrir Street. Crowds also passed through Dawran Shubra in Shubra Street, and Ataba, where thousands of protesters gathered with those coming from Nasr City.
The paper reports that crowds chanted against the regime, demanding that Mubarak be ousted, living conditions improved, the Emergency Law ended, detainees released, and unemployment relieved.
On a different front, Al-Shorouk displays a striking photograph of Tahrir Square packed with protesters coming out of each side street around the square.
The independent paper says violent clashes in Port Said broke out between demonstrators and members of the ruling National Democratic Party, who tried to break up the rally. In Ismailia, crowds succeeded in breaking the security cordon, which resulted in a number of injuries. According to the report, hundreds took to the streets in Tanta, Kafr al-Sheikh, and Damietta, calling for an end to corruption and demanding that Mubarak, who has been governing the country for nearly three decades, step down.
Al-Shorouk focuses on the different stances of opposition parties and the government. Opposition parties announced their solidarity with the protesters. Osama al-Ghazali Harb, head of the Democratic Front Party, is quoted as saying: “What happened indicates that there is indignation and a real desire for change.”
While Essam al-Arian, member of the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood’s Guidance Bureau, said the Brotherhood will continue to protest to express their profound anger against the government. The National Association for Change held a conference demanding that Mubarak not run in the next presidential elections.
On the other hand, Hossam Zaki, spokesman for the Foreign Ministry, said that demonstrations are not a new phenomena in Egypt, and have been taking place since 2004. According to Al-Shorouk, Zaki said that freedom is the policy of Egypt. He also emphasized that the vast numbers of protesters were protected by the police.
Egypt's papers:
Al-Ahram: Daily, state-run, largest distribution in Egypt
Al-Akhbar: Daily, state-run, second to Al-Ahram in institutional size
Al-Gomhorriya: Daily, state-run
Rose al-Youssef: Daily, state-run, close to the National Democratic Party's Policies Secretariat
Al-Dostour: Daily, privately owned
Al-Shorouk: Daily, privately owned
Al-Wafd: Daily, published by the liberal Wafd Party
Al-Arabi: Weekly, published by the Arab Nasserist party
Youm7: Weekly, privately owned
Sawt al-Umma: Weekly, privately owned
