Egypt

2000 people protest in Tahrir for Shafiq’s ouster

Approximately 2000 people continued protesting today in downtown Cairo's Tahrir Square to call for the removal of Ahmed Shafiq's transitional government.

The protesters called for the formation of a technocracy to replace the current government, which they argue is invalid as Shafiq was appointed by ousted president Hosni Mubarak.

They also demanded that Mubarak be brought to trial and his illegitimately acquired money returned to the people. They want his assistants tried and their money seized also, such as assistant secretary-general for the formerly ruling National Democratic Party, Safwat al-Sherif, and the chief of Mubarak's presidential staff, Zakaria Azmi.

Finally, they request the dismantling of State Security and the release of political prisoners–particularly those for whom release orders have already been issued.

The protesters said they will persist until all their demands are met. They were attacked by members of the army in the early hours of Saturday morning, but returned the same day.

Major General Hassan al-Ruwaini, chief of Cairo's central military command, visited the square on Monday night to urge protesters to evacuate.

"Give the armed forces a chance to fulfil your demands," eyewitnesses quoted al-Ruwaini as saying. "We, the armed forces, are working for your best interests. Evidence of this is our call for constitutional changes to pave the way for democracy and transparency, and ensure the freedom to select the country's president."

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